Chronology

The Crackdown

Key events in Azerbaijan's assault on independent journalism since November 2023.

By the Numbers

The Crackdown in Numbers

A comprehensive look at the scale and duration of the crackdown on women journalists.

6,424 Total Combined Days
714 Average Days Per Journalist
1,001 Longest Detention
171/180 RSF Press Freedom Ranking (2026)
~30 Total Journalists Jailed
12yr Max Sentence Facing

Detention Duration

Days in detention for each journalist, from arrest to today

International Organizations That Have Condemned the Arrests

Behind Bars

Detention Conditions

Documented accounts from the journalists themselves, their lawyers, and international observers.

250km Distance from Baku to Lankaran prison
4m² Size of solitary confinement cell (RSF recreation)
15–18 Prisoners in cells designed for 8–10
9 Organizations demanding torture investigation

Ulviyya Ali: beaten and threatened with sexual violence. Aynur Elgunesh: beaten despite physical disability. Aysel Umudova: documented sexual harassment during and after arrest. Their accounts prompted 9 organizations to issue a joint statement.

Sources: RSF, Amnesty International, ARTICLE 19 joint statement (Feb 2026)

In September 2025, Sevinj, Nargiz, and Elnara were transferred to a prison complex near Lankaran — 250 km from Baku. Families must travel 5+ hours each way for visits. During one visit, families reported intrusive searches.

Sources: CPJ, OC Media, Caucasian Knot

In July 2026 FIDH and OMCT's Observatory documented, case by case, treatment that has been requested by doctors and refused: Ulviyya Ali has a pituitary microadenoma requiring annual MRI and CT monitoring — the imaging has been denied, and she suffered abnormal uterine bleeding without being given a gynaecological examination. Aytaj Ahmadova has a deviated nasal septum causing chronic breathing difficulty and has been refused an ENT specialist. Nargiz Absalamova has chronic sinusitis and has been refused an MRI. Aynur Elgunesh, who has undergone 17 operations, was refused house arrest on medical grounds in July 2026. Nargiz has also reported that prison doctors demand several times the normal price for medicine.

Sources: FIDH / OMCT Observatory joint statement (23 July 2026); Amnesty International urgent action update (26 January 2026); Front Line Defenders

Cells designed for 8–10 hold 15–18 prisoners. Toilets are inside sleeping areas. Hygiene products, food, clothing, and bedding have been denied. The three Abzas women exposed these conditions in a November 2024 letter.

Source: Joint prison letter by Sevinj, Nargiz, Elnara (Nov 2024)

In February 2026, visits were banned for Meydan TV journalists. Fatima Movlamli began a hunger strike on March 8 in protest, ending it two days later. In July 2026 Khayala Aghayeva told the court that her telephone calls were being cut off and her personal letters withheld. Families report being harassed and subjected to intrusive searches at Lankaran prison.

Sources: Caucasian Knot, IRFS, court monitoring (24 July 2026)

Defendants placed in glass cages. Microphones cut during testimony. Motions rejected without reading. Defence lawyers obstructed. Khayala appeared in pyjamas in protest. In Feb 2026, 20+ staff restrained three women during a cell search. On 22 May 2026 guards were ordered to remove Khayala Aghayeva from the podium after she mentioned the president’s son, prompting Aytaj Tapdig to warn of a dry hunger strike if the defendants were not allowed to speak. In June 2026 the entire three-judge panel was replaced and the trial restarted in July before a new panel and a new prosecutor.

Sources: JAM News, OCCRP, Caucasian Knot, Meydan TV court monitoring (2026)

RSF recreated Sevinj Vagifgizi's 4m² prison cell as a public installation in Paris, Berlin, and Bern — inviting the public to step inside and experience what she has endured for 800+ days.

9 journalists imprisoned. Demand their freedom. Write to Authorities