MP Zahid Oruc calls for journalists’ "neutralization by all possible means"

Location: Azerbaijan, Baku

Date: March 5, 2024

Women Press Freedom expresses deep concern over the alarming and aggressive rhetoric employed by Member of Parliament Zahid Oruc towards prominent US-based journalist Sevinj Osmanqizi and her fellow exiled colleagues from Azerbaijan. Oruc's accusations in parliament, branding the journalists as insulting President Ilham Aliyev and labeling them as "informational terrorists" with a call for their “neutralization” at any cost, raise significant alarm. This concern is further compounded by the 2022 assassination attempt targeting an exiled Azerbaijani blogger in France. Azerbaijan's repeated targeting of exiled journalists and activists seeking safety abroad is deeply troubling. Women Press Freedom strongly condemns this dangerous assault on Azerbaijani nationals in exile. In Osmanqizi's case, we urge the United States government and law enforcement authorities to treat this campaign against her with utmost seriousness. As a resident of the United States, her safety must be prioritized and protected.

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The safety and freedom of exiled Azerbaijani journalists face grave threats following a speech delivered in the Parliament of Azerbaijan on March 5, 2024. 

Sevinj Osmanqizi, a well-known journalist living in exile in the United States who runs the YouTube channel Osmanqizi TV, was explicitly targeted in the politician’s speech, which advocated violence against Azerbaijani journalists and bloggers living abroad.

The speech, delivered by Zahid Oruc, a Member of Parliament and chairman of the human rights committee, condemned exiled journalists Osmanqizi, Qənimət Zahid, and Tural Sadıqlı. The politician accused them of "informational terrorism" and "denigration" of President Ilham Aliyev. 

Oruc went even further, labeling these journalists as "legitimate targets" and calling for their "neutralization by all possible means."

The situation is exacerbated by the 2022 assassination attempt targeting Azerbaijani blogger Mahammad Mirzali while he was seeking refuge in France. Women Press Freedom has documented other incidents in Georgia where exiled Azerbaijani journalists believe they are under surveillance, and some have been assaulted by people they allege are connected to the Azerbaijani secret service.

This isn’t the first time the Azerbaijani authorities have targeted Osmanqizi while she has been living in the United States. In 2019, following her investigation into corruption in the oil and gas industry, the government-backed Azerbaijani channel Real-TV broadcasted an illegally tapped private conversation between Osmanqizi and another journalist in exile, portraying her as a traitor. She later received threats to stop her journalism work or face exposure of her private information. 

Women Press Freedom is gravely concerned over the alarming increase in repression against journalists and civil society activists in Azerbaijan. In the past half-year alone, there has been a disturbing surge in arrests, detentions, and legal intimidation aimed at silencing those critical of the state. Journalists Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova from AbzasMedia continue to languish in pre-trial detention since their arrest last year, while in March 2024, the independent outlet Toplum TV was raided by police.

Women Press Freedom strongly condemns Zahid Oruc’s threats against the exiled journalists, including Sevinj Osmanqizi. His statements could incite violence and threaten the safety and well-being of journalists who have been forced into exile due to persecution in their home country. We call on the international community to stand in solidarity with exiled Azerbaijani journalists and bloggers, to demand an end to threats and violence against them, and urge the countries where they have sought exile to ensure they are protected.

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