Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has strongly condemned the criminal case against Sevinj Vagifgizi, editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, calling the charges of “currency smuggling” false, politically motivated, and part of a broader campaign of judicial harassment.

RSF sees this case as a clear attempt to silence critical voices and put pressure on independent journalism in Azerbaijan.

The organization demanded the immediate release of Sevinj Vagifgizi and six other journalists in the Abzas Media case who are being prosecuted alongside her.

In a message sent from Baku Pretrial Detention Center, Vagifgizi told RSF that their morale remains high, and they will not remain silent in the face of injustice.

Speaking in court on March 11, Vagifgizi directly addressed President Ilham Aliyev, saying that the charges are retaliation for their investigations into high-level corruption.

She was arrested on November 21, 2023, upon returning from Istanbul, despite knowing that her colleague Ulvi Hasanli had been detained the day before.

In her message to RSF, Vagifgizi, who has now spent over 600 days in detention, said:

“We’ve adapted to the conditions. We even celebrate birthdays to bring some color into our lives.”

Jeanne Cavalier, RSF’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said that Sevinj Vagifgizi represents the dignity and resistance of independent journalism:

“By keeping her behind bars, the authorities only show how weak they are in front of a free press.”

Cavalier also noted that 29 journalists are currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan and called for all of them to be freed.

The next hearing in the Abzas Media case is scheduled for June 20.