A group of Azerbaijani journalists will launch a lawsuit at the European Court of Human Rights in an attempt to force Azerbaijani Public Prosecutor Office to lift a travel ban imposed on them, apparently in retaliation for their cooperation with the critical media outlet, Berlin-based Meydan TV.
The journalists are dismayed with the fact that Prosecutor General’s Office has failed to present any substantive information on when the travel bans imposed on them will be lifted, said Aynur Elgunesh, one of the journalists behind the anticipated lawsuit, on 12 December. Although the Prosecutor’s office did reply that the journalist where banned from leaving the country in connection with the criminal case launched against Meydan TV no substantive information has been given on the current stage of the criminal proceedings.
Natig Javadli, another journalists affected by the travel ban, suggested said at least ten journalists have been under a travel ban for about a year now. The journalist said they had been disputing the bans in local courts for the past 6 months. Having not achieved justice in domestic courts Javadli is now filing his appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
Journalist Sevinj Vagifgizi said she was unable to participate in trainings and events held abroad due to the travel ban.
Journalist Aytan Farhadova said she wished to study abroad, but was unable to realise her desire because of the travel ban.
Lawyer Yalchin Imanov said the travel bans imposed on the journalists had no legal basis.