Azerbaijani authorities have jailed them on spurious money laundering charges linked to a broader investigation into independent media outlets Abzas Media and Meydan TV, with which they collaborated. These investigative journalists flatly reject the charges and say they are being targeted solely for their critical reporting about government corruption.
Azerbaijan ranked 167th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders’ 2025 Press Freedom Index. The country holds the highest number of jailed media workers on politically motivated charges since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. At least 25 journalists have been placed in jail, either awaiting trial, sentenced, under investigation or transferred under house arrest, while many more face travel bans, arbitrarily imposed by the authorities. These journalists’ only crime has been their commitment to independent reporting and exposing the high-level corruption in the Azerbaijani government.
The nine women journalists behind bars are:
- Sevinj Vagifgizi (37), Abzas Media
- Nargiz Absalamova (28), Abzas Media
- Elnara Gasimova (30), Abzas Media
- Aynur Elgunash (51), Meydan TV
- Aytaj Ahmadova (33), Meydan TV
- Aysel Umudova (34), Meydan TV
- Khayala Aghayeva (29), Meydan TV
- Fatima Movlamli (26), freelance journalist
- Ulviyya Ali (33), freelance journalist
Never before in Azerbaijan’s post-independence history have so many women journalists in jail. In June 2025, three women journalists with Abzas Media were sentenced to prison terms ranging from eight to nine years.
The imprisonment of women journalists also raises urgent humanitarian concerns. Several of them suffer from serious health conditions and require immediate and specialized medical care, which is difficult to access in pretrial detention and prison environments. Their continued detention in unsafe conditions poses significant risks to their health and well-being. The case of Aynur Elgunash of Meydan TV is particularly alarming. She is physically disabled, has undergone multiple surgeries, and suffers from medical conditions that require ongoing treatment and care that cannot be adequately provided in prison. Her detention, under such circumstances, places her life at risk.
International Women’s Day is meant to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and courage of women worldwide. Yet in Azerbaijan, the unjust imprisonment of women journalists casts a profound shadow over these celebrations. Instead of honoring women’s contributions to society, the authorities are punishing those who speak truth to power.
No journalist should pay for their work with their freedom. The use of fabricated charges to silence independent reporting severely undermines justice, press freedom, and the rule of law. The Azerbaijani government has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to justice and human rights by immediately dropping the politically motivated charges and releasing the imprisoned journalists. At the same time, Azerbaijan’s international partners, including democratic governments, international organizations, and human rights institutions must use this moment to intensify diplomatic and public pressure for their release on humanitarian and legal grounds.
Standing in solidarity with the courageous women journalists on the International Women’s Day means defending not only their freedom, but the fundamental right of all women to report, speak, and participate in public life without fear of repression and retaliation. Their voices must not be silenced.