Shahbaz Khuduoglu, Elmar Huseynov Fund director reported the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety that, “the first stage of the competition conducted for journalist researches has been concluded.
Some of the journalists were presented little grant prizes. Three of the prize owners are television and radio representatives, six of them are the members of the press. The winners of the first project are appointed: Zamina Aliyeva from ANS TV, Lala Nacafova from “Internyus Azerbaijan”, Babak Bekir from “Liberty” Radio, Gan Turali from “Bizim Yol”, freelance journalists Aynur Elgunash and Narmin Kamal, “Vedomosti” Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Bela Zakirova and Lala Ismayilova together, Sevinc Telmanqizi from “Yeni Musavat”, Vafa Cafarova from “Alma” Newspaper were awarded. Each press correspondent was awarded 300 USD, TV staffs were awarded 500 USD”.
Shahbaz Khuduoglu noted that, the main goal of the project is to improve investigative journalism and to stimulate this sphere: “We intend to perpetuate Elmar Huseynov’s memory”.
MIRZA SAKIT STARTS ACTIONS
On December 15 Rana Zahidova, the wife of the imprisoned “Azadlig” Newspaper correspondent/satiric Mirza Sakit visited her husband in the Prison #14. R.Zahidova told this to the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety. According to her 8 day hunger-strike action deteriorated his health badly. M.Sakit was placed in a room at the Chief Medical Facility of the Prison #14. Besides, M.Sakit told his wife that, he’ll start hunger-strike action again if the pressures against media and the journalists are not stopped. The correspondent also emphasized that, “If my brother G.Zahid is not released, I’ll conduct other actions”. But he didn’t clarify which actions he will realize.
In her interview with IRFS staff R.Zahidova also added that, within campaign conducted by International Amnesty organization about 700 support letters will be sent to M.Sakit from different countries. Zahidova thanked International Amnesty organization and each person who sent a letter.