Azerbaijani Journalist Sevinj Vagifgizi Receives Reporters Without Borders Prize for Courage While in Jail

Sevinj Vagifgizi

Sevinj Vagifgizi, the jailed Editor-in-Chief of Abzas Media, an outlet focused on investigative reporting, was given the Prize for Courage at the 33rd annual Press Freedom Awards by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

The award ceremony took place in Paris on November 15, during the RSF Festival celebrating the organization's 40th anniversary. Günel Səfərova, the director of Abzas Media, accepted the award for Vaqifqızı and read a letter from the journalist to those at the event.

RSF called Sevinj Vagifgizi a symbol of dignity and hope because of her dedication to her beliefs, her refusal to be silenced, and her strength when facing injustice.

Vaqifqızı and her co-workers were arrested during a crackdown on Abzas Media in November 2023. They were charged with currency smuggling and other money crimes. Seven people were arrested, including Director Ulvi Hasanli, Project Coordinator Mahammad Kekalov, investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, reporters Elnarə Qasımova and Nargiz Absalamova, and economist Farid Mehralizade.

On June 20, 2025, the Baku Court for Grave Crimes gave its decision in the Abzas Media case, resulting in long prison terms:

Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifgizi, Hafiz Babali, and Farid Mehralizade each received nine years.

Nargiz Absalamova and Elnarə Qasımova each received eight years.

Mahammad Kekalov received seven years and six months.

The Baku Court of Appeal agreed with these sentences on September 9. The journalists say they are not guilty and that their arrests are due to their anti-corruption investigations. International media and human rights groups say these arrests try to silence free media in Azerbaijan.

This year, 29 journalists, photojournalists, and media groups from 18 countries were recognized in five categories, including the Prize for Courage, Impact, Independence, the Mohamed Maïga Prize for African Investigative Journalism, and the Lucas Dolega–SAIF Photo Prize.