RSF Calls for Release of Jailed Journalists in Azerbaijan

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for the release of imprisoned journalists in Azerbaijan, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty employee and economist Farid Mehralizada.

In a statement, RSF said that Mehralizada will file a cassation appeal on March 6 against the nine-year prison sentence handed down to him in the Abzas Media case. The organization urged the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release him and all other journalists currently detained in the country.

Mehralizada was arrested on June 1, 2024. The criminal investigation against the independent outlet Abzas Media, known for its corruption investigations, began in late 2023.

Initially, the journalists were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group). The charges were later expanded and made more severe.

Under the June 20, 2025 verdict of the Baku Court for Serious Crimes, the following sentences were issued in the Abzas Media case:

Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinc Vagifqizi, Hafiz Babali, and Farid Mehralizada – 9 years in prison

Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova – 8 years

Mahammad Kekalov – 7 years and 6 months