During her 800 days in prison, Sevinj Vagifgizi, editor-in-chief of the independent investigative outlet Abzas Media, has been mistreated by prison staff, denied sufficient access to food and water and her personal belongings have been withheld. Vagifgizi, the editor-in-chief of AbzasMedia, was transferred after 675 days to a remote and inaccessible prison in order to further isolate her. She and 24 other independent Azerbaijani journalists are being detained because of their critical reporting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alena Shturuj, RSF\u2019s advisor for Eastern Europe, stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTorture, vermin, filth, and psychological intimidation\u2014this is what independent journalists in Azerbaijan\u2019s inhumane prisons are forced to endure for reporting critically on the regime. With this action, which recreates detention conditions, we make the systematic suppression of the press in Azerbaijan visible and remind the world that these media professionals defend the right to information and freedom of expression even behind bars. We call on democratic governments worldwide to increase pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities and President Aliyev.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n RSF writes that following Russia\u2019s war of aggression against Ukraine, the oil-rich authoritarian state of Azerbaijan has become an important strategic energy partner for Germany and the European Union. Fossil fuel supplies are planned to be significantly increased by 2027, and since January 2026 Azerbaijan has been exporting natural gas to Germany. Over the years, the Azerbaijani authorities have achieved considerable lobbying success in several EU member states, including among members of the CDU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag (a scandal that became known as \u201ccaviar diplomacy\u201d). At the same time, critical voices are systematically persecuted, arrested, and isolated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reporters Without Borders notes that corruption is deeply entrenched in Azerbaijan and is also reflected in prison conditions. For example, seriously ill journalist Alasgar Mammadli is being denied medical care, while journalist Nargiz Absalamova reports that doctors sometimes demand up to three times the normal price for medication and medical services. Journalists\u2019 contact with the outside world is particularly severely restricted, and they are pressured to stop writing about prison conditions. Most of them experience this as an especially heavy burden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite threats and punishments, journalists remain outspoken and continue to report from prison about detention conditions. In a letter, reporter Nargiz Absalamova writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHead lice are common among women in the Baku Pretrial Detention Center. Cells are very cramped and water shortages are constant. Hot water is provided only twice a week for two to three hours. Cold water is available for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.meydan.tv\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/622915073_26123296863949933_7455655878159211081_n-616x821.jpg\")
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