OSCE media freedom representative welcomes release of journalists in Azerbaijan, calls for all journalists to be freed

VIENNA, 28 December 2012 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, today welcomed the release from prison of two convicted journalists and a blogger.

“This is a long-expected step that can help to create a better environment for journalists, who must be able to do their jobs free from the fear of being put behind bars,” Mijatović said.

President Ilham Aliev issued a decree pardoning 86 prisoners on 26 December, ahead of a national holiday. Two are journalists – Anar Bayramli, an Azerbaijan-based correspondent for Iranian Sahar TV, and Aydin Janiyev, a regional correspondent for the newspaper Khural. Both spent several months in detention. Popular blogger Taleh Khasmammadov was also pardoned.

“I hope this commendable step to release Anar Bayramli, Aydin Janiyev and Taleh Khasmammadov will be followed by more action. All journalists in detention should be released,” Mijatović said.

During a recent trip to Baku for official meetings Mijatović was able to visit detained journalists Avaz Zeynalli, the chief editor of Khural, independent journalist Faramaz Novruzoglu (Allahverdiyev), executive director of Khayal TV Vugar Gonagov and chief editor of Tolishi Sado newspaper, Hilal Mammadov.