The International Committee to Protect Journalists called on the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to release 6 journalists jailed in Azerbaijan (editor Avaz Zeynallyand journalist Aidyn Dzhaniyev of the independent daily Khural; reporter Anar Bayramliand his driver, Ramil Dadashev, from the Iranian broadcaster Sahar TV; editor Ramin Bayramov of the Islamic news website Islam-Azeri; and directors Zaur Guliyev and Vugar Gonagov of the regional TV channel Khayal).

The letter says: “We call on you to exercise the high authority of your office and instruct the relevant authorities to investigate the cases of these journalists who languish in jail simply because of their critical reporting. We urge you to uphold your declared commitment to international press freedom standards and ensure the immediate and unconditional release of these journalists.”