Why I Returned: Imprisoned Abzas Media Editor Sevinj Vagifgizi on Defiance, Corruption, and Western Indifference

Sevinj Vagifgizi

Baku, Azerbaijan – From behind bars in Azerbaijan, Sevinj Vagifgizi, the courageous editor-in-chief of the independent investigative outlet Abzas Media, has sent a powerful letter to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), shedding light on her conscious decision to face imprisonment, the escalating crackdown on critical journalism in her country, and her sharp critique of the international community's response. Her message is one of unwavering defiance in the face of state repression and a call for genuine action.

Vagifgizi, whose Abzas Media is renowned for its in-depth corruption investigations, recounted the chilling moments leading to her arrest. "When I spoke with my lawyer at Istanbul Airport, I was already certain that if I returned to Baku, I would be arrested," she wrote. Friends had warned her of plainclothes police near her home. Despite the clear danger, she sent messages to her colleagues and mother, urging them to be prepared for what was to come. Upon landing in Baku, police officers met her directly at the plane's exit, detaining her without even allowing her to pass through passport control.

Her arrest, along with six colleagues, came on fabricated charges of "currency smuggling," leading to a nine-year prison sentence on June 20. Abzas Media's director, Ulvi Hasanli, and employee Mahammad Kekalov were among those previously arrested.

The Unwavering Choice to Return

The question "Why did you return?" has frequently been posed to Vagifgizi since her detention. Her answer is a testament to her commitment to journalistic integrity and solidarity. "As a person representing the management of Abzas Media, I could not sit in a safe place at a dangerous moment and passively watch our employees being summoned to police departments and subsequently arrested," she asserted. For her, running away was "not a solution to any problem"; facing the consequences of their corruption investigations was necessary.

Vagifgizi highlighted the Azerbaijani government's strategy to "exile independent journalists and critics from the country, thereby isolating and alienating them from society." She firmly believes that the government cannot dictate where critical journalists live. The authorities, she explained, have established "red lines" for journalists, particularly prohibiting any discussion of the president and his family's illegal actions. However, Vagifgizi and her colleagues consciously chose to cross these lines. "Instead of staying within these red lines, we chose the red stripes in prison," she stated, referring to the three red stripes stamped on their prison cards, marking them as "dangerous prisoners" under surveillance.

Continuing the Fight from Behind Bars

Despite their imprisonment, Vagifgizi and her colleagues have continued their investigative work, exposing torture, electoral fraud, and corruption within the very isolation facilities where they are held. She noted that their reports have yielded tangible results, such as the cessation of torture in the women's wing and the proper distribution of goods to prisoners. "We receive positive feedback almost after every article. This makes us feel useful even in prison," she shared.

However, the broader picture of media freedom in Azerbaijan remains grim. Vagifgizi lamented the scarcity of independent journalists to cover protests and injustices, leaving citizens "alone with the illegalities they face." She pointed out that not only journalists but also experts, activists, NGO representatives, opposition members, and religious figures have been condemned to prison life, with nearly 400 political prisoners currently held in Azerbaijan, according to RSF.

A Scathing Critique of International Indifference

Perhaps the most poignant part of Vagifgizi's letter is her scathing critique of the international community. She frequently hears from visiting family and lawyers the disheartening phrase: "'They have forgotten you'." This sentiment stems from what she perceives as the indifference of international organizations and Western leaders who, despite claiming adherence to democratic principles, "ignore the nearly 400 political prisoners in the country."

She condemned their tendency to merely utter statements of "concern," which she argues "does not bother Ilham Aliyev." Vagifgizi believes that economic interests, such as the gas trade, consistently overshadow human rights in discussions with the Azerbaijani leadership. "As seen from the order, human rights come last. This is not a priority issue for them," she wrote. This perceived lack of real pressure, she concludes, allows Aliyev to act with impunity, sending critics like the Abzas Media staff to lengthy prison terms, because "Western organizations and leaders continue to hold Aliyev's hand that handcuffs his critics."

Sevinj Vagifgizi's letter is a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of independent journalism in Azerbaijan and a stark reminder to the international community of its responsibility to uphold human rights and press freedom globally. RSF has amplified her call, urging immediate action for her release and that of the 24 other journalists unjustly imprisoned in Azerbaijan.