
12
Dec 2019
Lvl. 1
No state reply yet
Alert created on: 30 Jun 2017
n° 68/2017
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani Director of Internet Television Re-arrested
Source of threatState
CategoryDetention and imprisonment of journalists
No state reply yet
Aziz Orujov, director of internet television Kanal 13, was re-arrested on 1 June 2017 in Azerbaijan. On 2 May he was found guilty by court of committing an administrative offence - disobedience to a lawful order by police officer - and sentenced for 30 days. On 1 June, two hours before his expected release, he was taken to the Serious Crimes Investigation Department, then charged with illegal entrepreneurship with large income and abuse of official power. The judge has ordered the journalist's pre-trial detention for four months. After Ojurov's arrest, searches have been conducted in his apartment and in the office of Kanal 13. Computers, electronic carriers and documents were confiscated. Orujov's wife said that she is concerned about Ojurov's health because he suffers from chronic diseases. Media reported that the case against Ojurov is connected with his professional activities. Kanal 13 produces programmes on social and economic topics, presenting, among other things, positions of independent experts and opposition politicians.
Updates
06 Apr 2018
On 5 April 2018, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan released Aziz Orujov on a suspended three-year sentence.
20 Feb 2018
On 20 February 2018, the Baku Appeal Court upheld the verdict against Aziz Orujov. The defense intends to file an appeal with the Supreme Court.
18 Dec 2017
On 15 December 2017 the Baku Court for Serious Crimes sentenced Aziz Orujov to 6 years for illegal business and misappropriation of funds.
Additional Information
- Article on Rakurs.tv website (in Azerbaijani)
- Article on Caucasian Knot website: "Activists associate persecution of journalist Aziz Orudjev with his professional activities"
- Article on Caucasian Knot website "Kanal-13 office and Aziz Orujov's flat searched"
- Article on Meydan TV: "Director of Television Channel 'Kanal 13' Arrested"
Follow-ups

In her report following her visit to Azerbaijan from 8 to 12 July 2019, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights regrets that no progress has been made regarding the protection of freedom of expression and calls on the authorities to release all those detained because of the views they expressed, notably journalists.

OSCE media freedom representative welcomes release of journalist Aziz Orudjev in Azerbaijan

OSCE media freedom representative calls on Azerbaijan authorities to end restrictive measures detrimental to journalists’ freedom and safety