In recent days the issue of the safety of journalists and bloggers living outside Azerbaijan has reemerged as a topic of concern. A number of media representatives and bloggers working in exile say they face pressure and threats because of their political positions and their statements criticizing the Azerbaijani authorities.
They say the threats go beyond social media messages and phone calls. Some journalists and bloggers report being physically followed in the countries where they reside, noticing unfamiliar people near their homes and workplaces.They link these incidents to their critical activities against the authorities and state that their safety is at risk.
Journalist Emin Huseynov released a video on February 18 saying he was followed by unknown persons in Geneva one day after he addressed a question to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
On February 22 blogger Gabil Mammadov said during a live broadcast on YouTube that two people were detained by police near the home of Alemadar Bunyadov who is a member of the Muslim Unity Movement living in exile and that a weapon was found in their car. He showed photos about this. In the same broadcast blogger Mehman Huseynov who had shared a series of videos about the president’s daughter in law Alyona Aliyeva said he was being followed by a car.
Mehman Huseynov: “I am facing explicit death threats“
Speaking to Meydan TV blogger Mehman Huseynov said he received death threats through social networks and various platforms after his posts.
“In Baku, they took my family members — my father and my brother — to the State Security Service and showed them my intimate videos. They were trying to silence and frighten me. At that time, we had already begun official procedures in the country I was living in, arguing that my life was in danger because I was receiving death threats on WhatsApp and other platforms. In addition, last December, Deputy Razi Nurullayev spoke in parliament and said that Mehman Huseynov should be punished for posting about police officers. There are many such statements,” said Huseynov.
He said the situation worsened after the videos he published about Alyona Aliyeva.
“Ilham Aliyev had already made a direct decision that Mehman should be detained and punished, no matter which European country he was in, because of these matters. Afterwards, Emin Huseynov went to the Munich Security Conference. There, Mehriban Aliyeva’s behavior, acting like a mafia figure, and her expression, ‘I wish you good health,’ as well as Emin’s question to Ilham Aliyev, ‘Mr. President, can you also answer questions from independent media?’ and Aliyev’s response, ‘There is no independent media in the world,’ were a clear message. A day later, Emin revealed that he had been monitored in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently, the Geneva police have opened a criminal case regarding this,” Huseynov states.
Afgan Mukhtarli: “These operations have a history”
Journalist and former political prisoner Afgan Mukhtarli who lives in Germany told Meydan TV that the Azerbaijani authorities have previously carried out operations against their critics outside the country.
“In the past, I, Rauf Mirgadirov, and others were abducted. Murders have been committed. The most recent one took place in France against Vidadi Iskandarli. In addition, Bayram Mammadov lost his life under mysterious circumstances in Turkey, and Vugar Rza in Belgium. Huseyn Bakikhanov was openly killed in Tbilisi, Georgia. Considering all of this, the lives of Azerbaijani political exiles, bloggers, and journalists are in real danger,” Mukhtarli says.
According to him there are many people among Azerbaijanis living in exile who are being followed.
“Based on the information I have, those being targeted include Ganimat Zahid, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper ‘Azadlıq,’ blogger Gabil Mammadov, journalist Emin Huseynov and his brother Mehman Huseynov, as well as religious figures Alemdar Bunyadov and Orkhan Agayev,” Muxtarlı adds.
“Do not walk alone, check your phones” – a security warning
Afgan Mukhtarli says people who receive threats must inform the law enforcement and special services of the country where they live.
“Such people should not walk alone. I was kidnapped in Georgia because I was alone. They should stay in places where there are many people and avoid going outside after dark. They should have their phones checked for spyware and turn off location services. There are now programs that can track a person’s movements using just a phone number. If necessary, they should use protective vests, which can help guard against bullets and knife attacks. Personal security must be taken very seriously,” Mukhtarli stressed.
Mehman Huseynov said that the German criminal police have already taken his home and the surrounding area under surveillance.
“I have been assigned security and do not leave my home. Ganimat Zahid, who lives in France, is also under serious threat. As you know, in France, Mahammad Mirzali was subjected to armed and knife attacks, and Vidadi Iskandarli was murdered. Currently, the criminal police forces of France, Germany, and Switzerland are working together to prevent transnational crimes,” Huseynov says.
