All Articles

A trial has opened in the French city of Rennes of nine men accused of plotting to murder Mahammad Mirzali, a prominent Azerbaijani blogger and critic of his country's government.

The head of Iran's official state news agency has been summoned to court after the outlet published photographs of a Tehran woman without a mandatory headscarf.

"While a straightforward amnesty for unauthorized buildings might address some social issues temporarily, it could also encourage more illegal constructions later on." As reported by AZERTAC, Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov expressed these opinions on May 20 during an event focused on "Replacing informal settlements and slums for housing globally."

The Baku Court of Appeal has upheld a six-year prison sentence against journalist and public activist Ahmad Mammadli, rejecting an appeal to overturn his conviction. Judge Ali Mammadov presided over the panel that issued the decision on May 14.

Two high-profile political prisoners in Azerbaijan, economist Fazil Qasimov and investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, have launched a joint hunger strike from Penal Facility No. 2. The protest was timed to coincide with the opening of the United Nations’ 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in the Azerbaijani capital, according to statements released by their families.

Today, 17 May, #Baku hosts the opening of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (#WUF13 / @WUF_UNHabitat ), the United Nations' flagship global conference on urbanization. The forum is expected to bring together around 40,000 participants from 182 countries and to be covered by some 1,000 accredited journalists. Its theme reads like a promise: "Housing the world: safe and resilient cities and communities." On the agenda are the global housing crisis, inclusivity, a reliab

The President of Voice of America Michael Abramowitz is asking for the release of Ulviyya Ali, a journalist from Azerbaijan. It has been one year since Ulviyya Ali was taken into custody by the authorities in Azerbaijan.

The United States Senate has made a decision. They have agreed on a resolution that says the government of Azerbaijan should let some journalists out of prison now. This decision was made to go with World Press Freedom Day. The Senate is worried about the journalists in Azerbaijan because the government is using the law to silence people who are saying things they do not like.

Akif Gurbanov reports confiscated writings and restricted calls in Baku Detention Center. Learn about the Toplum TV case, the pressure on Azerbaijani activists, and Gurbanov's continued fight for democracy and free speech from behind bars.

Imprisoned journalist Polad Aslanov placed in solitary confinement after a prison assault. His wife, Gulmira Aslanova, raises concerns over unfair punishment and safety. Human rights advocates demand government accountability for his treatment.

Read about the brave protest of Azerbaijani journalists in the Meydan TV case. Facing charges of smuggling and financial crimes, these 12 independent reporters fight for press freedom in Baku. "Being a journalist is not a crime," they declare.

Learn about Azerbaijani cybersecurity expert Ilgar Aliyev, who died in custody on May 1, 2026. This report covers his work with AbzasMedia, the controversial legal charges he faced, and calls from human rights groups for a transparent investigation.

Read about activist Imran Aliyev’s testimony in a Baku court regarding his treatment after arrest. Learn about the Meclis.info case involving USAID/US Embassy funding, allegations of torture, and the legal struggle facing multiple Baku activists.

The 2026 World Press Freedom Index by RSF ranks Azerbaijan 171st as global media freedom hits a 25-year low. With dozens of journalists imprisoned and mounting state control, discover how the South Caucasus and the world are performing in 2026.

BMT ekspertləri Abzas Media jurnalistlərinə verilən 8-9 illik cəzalar və onlarla rəftar barədə Azərbaycana suallar ünvanlayıb. Sevinc Vaqifqızı və digərlərinin təkadamlıq kamera, pis şərait və Lənkərana köçürülməsi ilə bağlı araşdırma tələb olunur.

Ramil Babayev reports on rising violence at Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center. He describes a brutal competition among officers for promotions, where use of force against prisoners is rewarded. A call for transparency in appointments to stop abuse.

Read about the ongoing struggles of Azerbaijani journalist Polad Aslanov. Sentenced to 13 years, Aslanov faces medical neglect and restricted family access. Explore the international concern over press freedom and human rights in Azerbaijan.

Journalist Polad Aslanov, currently held at Baku Investigation Isolator, has been denied family visits and his phone rights have been severely restricted, his wife Gulmira Aslanova told Meydan TV on April 21.

Amnesty International's 2026 annual report documents deepening repression in Azerbaijan: political prisoners, media shutdowns, and torture.

UN HRC61 event in Geneva exposes Azerbaijan's human rights crackdown. Experts reveal systemic persecution of journalists, gender-based repression, and transnational attacks on exiles like Emin Huseynov. Call for urgent international action.