For over two decades, the Azerbaijani government has waged an unrelenting war against independent journalism. March 2, 2025, marked 20 years since the brutal and politically motivated assassination of Elmar Huseynov, a Founder and Editor in Chief of the Monitor magazine. The murder that remains unsolved is a chilling symbol of impunity that Azerbaijani government enjoys. What began with silencing one voice has spiraled into the wholesale destruction of independent media, culminating in a February 2025 crackdown that saw the suspension of BBC Azerbaijan, the revocation of Voice of America Azerbaijan’s accreditation, and the closure of Turan, one of the country’s last bastions of truth.
The Azerbaijani government’s crackdown on the press reached an unprecedented level, with the shocking decision to suspend BBC Azerbaijan’s operations and revoke the accreditation of Voice of America Azerbaijan. These actions significantly restrict the already shrinking space for independent information, further isolating the Azerbaijani public from unbiased reporting.
Another devastating blow to press freedom came with the forced closure of Turan, one of the last remaining independent news agencies in Azerbaijan. Founded in 1990, Turan played a crucial role in providing objective and accurate reporting in three languages. It has been a beacon of truth, nurturing generations of independent journalists and serving as a refuge for those dedicated to professional and ethical journalism. Its closure marks yet another step toward the total elimination of free press in Azerbaijan.
Repression continues unabated, with February 2025 witnessing the arrests of four more journalists: Fatima Movlamli, Shamshad Agha, Shahnaz Baylargizi (currently under house arrest), and Nurlan Gahramanli. The total number of political prisoners has now exceeded 360—a record high—including more than 35 journalists and media workers behind bars.
The crackdown extends to entire media organizations. Core team members of independent outlets such as Abzas TV, Toplum TV, Meydan TV, Kanal 11, Kanal 13, Meclis Info, Khural TV, and others remain imprisoned, their only crime being their commitment to reporting the truth.
Additionally, Azerbaijani courts have issued a series of harsh and disproportionate sentences targeting media workers. Arshad Ibragimov, founder of the website “dunyaninsesi.az,” was sentenced to eight years in prison, as was Teymur Kerimov, the founder of Kanal 11. An even more alarming case is that of AzelTV founder Afghan Sadigov, who was forcibly arrested in Georgia and now faces imminent extradition to Azerbaijan. In protest of his extradition, he has been on hunger strike for over 100 days, and his health has reached a critical condition.
“Twenty years of impunity and inadequate response from the international community, particularly the Council of Europe, which is committed to upholding human rights standards among all its members, have led to the literal disappearance of independent journalism. The authorities have eradicated the old generation of independent journalists and have now turned their attention to young professionals aged 20–25, aiming to deter the next generation from entering the field. Around 40 people are imprisoned, and more than 100 media workers are under a travel ban”, says Emin Huseynov, Co-Founder of IRFS.
Azerbaijani media is on the verge of extinction, not only due to direct repression but also because of severe restrictions on foreign funding. Independent outlets are barred from receiving grants from international donors, and those who attempt to do so face harsh punishment. The government treats the receipt of foreign funding as a criminal offense, often branding it as money smuggling, subjecting journalists and media organizations to legal persecution and intimidation.
We strongly condemn the Azerbaijani authorities for their ongoing crackdown on press freedom. The continued persecution of journalists and media workers is a blatant violation of Azerbaijan’s human rights commitments.
We once again urge the Council of Europe to take a stronger stance on Azerbaijan’s persistent disregard for its obligations. It is not enough to issue statements—decisive action is needed. We call on not only PACE but also the Committee of Ministers and other relevant bodies to hold Azerbaijan accountable.
A country that silences independent voices and represses fundamental freedoms cannot continue to enjoy the privileges of Council of Europe membership. Perpetrators of such violations have no place at the table of a body that stands for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.