Azerbaijan journalist pardoned after almost three years in prison

The Azerbaijan authorities released an opposition journalist on 9 April, after he had served almost three years in prison. Sakit Zahidov was pardoned under an amnesty act passed in March by the country’s parliament, the Milli Mejlis.

Serious doubt had been cast on Sakit Zahidov’s conviction and imprisonment after the authorities’ failed to clarify ambiguities in the evidence and irregularities in trial procedures. Amnesty International considered him to be a prisoner of conscience.

The organization welcomed his release while expressing its concern that opposition and independent journalists continue to face harassment, physical assault, intimidation and imprisonment on account of their journalistic activity.

Amnesty International said it believed that the real reason for his imprisonment was solely the authorities’ attempt to curb his right to freedom of expression and silence his critical reporting of their activities.

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