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OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said
she was alarmed by yesterday’s violent attack on journalist Ilgar
Nasibov in Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan.
“I call on the authorities to conduct a swift and thorough
investigation of this brutal attack on Nasibov and bring those
responsible to justice,” Mijatović said. “This criminal act has an
enormous chilling effect on free expression and free media and it could
inspire future crimes against members of the media.”
Nasibov, a journalist actively contributing to several media outlets in
Azerbaijan, including Turan News Agency and Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty, was assaulted on 21 August by a number of individuals in his
office at the Resource Centre for Development of NGOs and Democracy in
Nakhichevan. Nasibov sustained serious injuries, including concussion,
broken cheekbones, nose and ribs. He is still in a very critical
condition and receiving medical treatment at the hospital. The attackers
also smashed and destroyed property and office equipment.
Nasibov has been prosecuted, threatened and physically attacked several
times in the past. In December 2007, he was arrested and convicted to a
one-year suspended sentence for libel charges. In July 2011, Nasibov,
together with other journalists, was assaulted and briefly detained by
the police. Both issues were raised by the Representative with the
Azerbaijani authorities.
Following a recent crackdown on free media voices in Azebaijan,
Mijatović also expressed concern about continuing harassment of the
Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS). In addition to
frozen bank accounts and confiscation of property earlier this month,
the IRFS office was closed by law enforcement authorities and its staff
is now being interrogated (see www.osce.org/fom/122481 and www.osce.org/fom/122389).
“This ongoing persecution of independent journalists, media activists
and freedom of expression advocates must stop immediately. The
authorities in Azerbaijan have to do their utmost to stop these
practices,” Mijatović said.
Mijatović said that her Office was ready to support Azerbaijan in
fulfilling its media freedom commitments and that a visit to Baku in the
near future would help address these issues.
Foto: TURAN
