Abzas Media Journalists Speak from Prison: 'We Are Filming, But You Look Bad'

Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifgizi, Elnara Gasimova, and Nargiz Absalamova, journalists from "Abzas Media" currently held in prison, have shared a powerful message from behind bars. Their letter, published by the outlet, directly challenges the authorities with a stark observation: "We are filming, but you look bad."

This phrase, they explain, was their consistent response to anyone who attacked their cameras – be it police, election officials, or government representatives. Now, they state, they are "paying the price for these recordings," while Azerbaijan's standing in global press freedom continues to plummet, ranking a dismal 167th out of 180 countries.

The journalists highlight that restrictions on filming are no longer confined to specific locations like subways. "In every nook and cranny, police guards are fixated on cameras, ready to confiscate them and send you to prison," they write. Despite these threats, they assert, "Until they caught us, we filmed, but they looked bad."

The letter then systematically outlines why, in their view, the authorities "look bad," presenting a series of scathing critiques:

Corruption: "Corruption is already drowning citizens in sewage lines. You pass the buck, but no one faces punishment. We are filming, but you look bad."

Environmental Hypocrisy: They accuse officials of enriching themselves with the nation's oil while polluting poor neighborhoods, then traveling abroad to discuss ecology and green energy with European leaders. "We are filming, but you look bad."

Social Welfare Discrepancy: Despite rhetoric about a social state, fair income distribution, and poverty reduction, the reality for many citizens is grim. "Cameras turn to citizens' refrigerators, and you look bad."

Karabakh Land Distribution: The journalists claim that after declaring "Karabakh is Azerbaijan!", the region's lands are divided among a select group of officials and their companies, forcing Karabakh residents into buildings with no opportunities for farming, livestock, or work. "They go into 'Bravo Market' and ask for credit, and you look bad."

Gas Policy: With declining oil revenues, the focus shifts to gas, yet gas payments are demanded even from areas without supply, including parts of the capital. "You say, 'Save it, I'll sell it abroad,' and you look bad."

Police Brutality: They condemn the police's suppression of protesters, citing official statements that no officers will be punished and that police "acted with dignity" even when an elderly woman was sprayed with tear gas. "An elderly woman whose face was sprayed with tear gas rubs her eyes, and you look bad."

Worker Exploitation: Workers in government-built skyscrapers are still wearing free shirts distributed in 2003, unable to afford new ones after 22 years. When they turn their backs, the shirts read "Forward with Ilham!" "We are filming, but you look bad."

Financial Opacity: The letter questions the whereabouts of small parking fees collected from drivers, noting that the blank forms for declaring income during elections remain empty. "We are filming, but you look bad."

Election Fraud: Despite talk of free elections, the journalists highlight videos of ballot stuffing, "carousel operations," and unknown observers promoting the ruling party. "We are filming, but you look bad."

Child Welfare: While state care for children is touted, the journalists point out that officials' children own millions in Dubai at a young age, while the state fails to provide child benefits. "In a country where you don't provide child benefits, you can't even make the little ones believe the fairy tale of state care, and you look bad."

Controlled Media: They describe officials giving interviews to journalists "loaded with prepared questions," passionately discussing democracy and press freedom, only for commemorative photos to reveal "no one from the free press." "We are filming, but you look bad."

The journalists conclude by drawing a historical parallel to Mirza Fatali Akhundov's "Ekinchi" newspaper, founded 150 years ago, which only required money to publish. Today, they argue, publishing a newspaper demands registration, a specified number of employees, and daily news items. They warn that while officials may speak of the National Press and claim "The press in Azerbaijan is free," the cameras will ultimately turn to "Kurdekhani" (the Baku Pre-trial Detention Center), and "you will look bad."