Continued harassment of investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova

In a letter to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyevin and the Prosecutor General Zakir, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, along with several Human Rights NGOs, express a profound concern regarding the continued harassment and intimidation of investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova and the resulting interference in her work. - We urge the President of Azerbaijan to take immediate steps to ensure a prompt, thorough, effective and transparent investigation into the threats made against the journalist Khadija Ismayilova, as well as ensuring the effectiveness of the current investigation into the violation of Ismayilovas right to privacy, Secretary general Bjørn Engesland says.

Khadija Ismayilova is an investigative reporter and talk show host with Radio Azalig – the Azeri language service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). Her investigative reports often look into corruption allegations and business holdings of high-level government.
The letter has been sent by recommended mail to the government officials on Monday 12 August 2013 and is attached (in English and Azerbaijani).

The government of Azerbaijan should take immediate steps to ensure a prompt, thorough, effective and transparent investigation into the threats made against her, as well as ensuring the effectiveness of the current investigation into the violation of her right to privacy.

Read Khadijas own response to the smear campaign against her (on her Facebook – profile).

Read the full letter in English here. Azeri version here.