International rights organisations have condemned an Azerbaijani court after nine journalists and activists linked to independent outlet Toplum TV were handed prison sentences of up to 15 years. The Baku Serious Crimes Court imposed sentences totalling 121 years on the defendants,...

Three jailed Azerbaijani journalists have refused to answer prosecutors during a court hearing in Baku, accusing authorities of fabricating smuggling charges to silence independent reporting. Khayala Aghayeva, Fatima Movlamli and Ramin Deko testified at the Baku Serious Crimes Court on 24...

Azerbaijan’s media regulator has warned it may restrict Iranian journalists after Tehran designated Azerbaijan State Television (AzTV) as an "enemy media" organisation. Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence added AzTV to a list of blacklisted foreign media outlets on 12 July under updated...

Jailed investigative reporter Hafiz Babali has condemned the total suppression of independent media in Azerbaijan in an open letter written from behind bars to mark the country's National Press Day. Babali, who is serving a nine-year prison sentence following a police...

A jailed Azerbaijani journalist has been on a dry hunger strike for 18 days after being placed in a punishment cell for writing a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, his family says. Yashar Aghazadeh, a former staff...

An Azerbaijani opposition figure facing trial alongside independent journalists has told a Baku court that government efforts to suppress democratic values in the country will fail. Akif Gurbanov, head of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives and speaker of the III Republic...

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for the immediate release of jailed Azerbaijani journalist Aytaj Ahmadova, warning that her health is deteriorating rapidly without access to medical care. The rights group said Ms Ahmadova, who has been held in...

An opposition leader on trial in Azerbaijan over his links to independent outlet Toplum TV has accused authorities of attempting to destroy media freedom and the rule of law. Speaking in his final address to the Baku Serious Crimes Court on...

A sweeping new law in Azerbaijan regulating social media platforms is a step towards establishing a permanent, institutionalised system of state control over digital expression, a leading media expert has warned. Under the legislation passed by the Milli Majlis (parliament), social...

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has demanded that Azerbaijan provide immediate medical treatment to jailed independent journalist Aytaj Tapdig, warning that her health is deteriorating behind bars. The US-based press freedom watchdog said Tapdig, who is being held under the...