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Osman Rzayev
Journalist, editor of Demokratik.az
Extortion by threat, Art. 182.2.2 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan
2022-07-05
Occupation:
Charges:
Arested:
Status:
Osman Narimanoglu Rzayev, known professionally as Osman Rzayev, is an Azerbaijani journalist and the founder of the news website Demokratik.az. He has been a vocal critic of government policies, particularly concerning issues of corruption.
Legal Issues:
Arrest and Sentencing: On July 5, 2022, Rzayev was arrested on charges of extortion by threat, under Article 182.2.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code. The Ganja Serious Crimes Court subsequently sentenced him to 6.5 years in prison. His wife, Arzu Rzayeva, and supporters have consistently claimed that these charges were fabricated due to his investigative journalism exposing corruption among local officials.
Appeal Process: In May 2024, the Ganja Court of Appeal upheld the initial verdict, maintaining the 6.5-year sentence. During the appeal, Rzayev reportedly went on a hunger strike to protest what he described as an unjust trial.
International Recognition:
Human rights organizations, including the Institute for Human Rights, have recognized Rzayev as a political prisoner, highlighting concerns over the fairness of his trial and the legitimacy of the charges against him.
Current Status:
As of April 2025, Rzayev remains incarcerated. His case continues to draw attention from international communities advocating for press freedom and the protection of journalists' rights in Azerbaijan.Osman Narimanoglu Rzayev, known professionally as Osman Rzayev, is an Azerbaijani journalist and the founder of the news website Demokratik.az. He has been a vocal critic of government policies, particularly concerning issues of corruption.
Legal Issues:
Arrest and Sentencing: On July 5, 2022, Rzayev was arrested on charges of extortion by threat, under Article 182.2.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code. The Ganja Serious Crimes Court subsequently sentenced him to 6.5 years in prison. His wife, Arzu Rzayeva, and supporters have consistently claimed that these charges were fabricated due to his investigative journalism exposing corruption among local officials.
Appeal Process: In May 2024, the Ganja Court of Appeal upheld the initial verdict, maintaining the 6.5-year sentence. During the appeal, Rzayev reportedly went on a hunger strike to protest what he described as an unjust trial.
International Recognition:
Human rights organizations, including the Institute for Human Rights, have recognized Rzayev as a political prisoner, highlighting concerns over the fairness of his trial and the legitimacy of the charges against him.
Current Status:
As of April 2025, Rzayev remains incarcerated. His case continues to draw attention from international communities advocating for press freedom and the protection of journalists' rights in Azerbaijan.
Osman Narimanoglu Rzayev, known professionally as Osman Rzayev, is an Azerbaijani journalist and the founder of the news website Demokratik.az. He has been a vocal critic of government policies, particularly concerning issues of corruption.
Legal Issues:
Arrest and Sentencing: On July 5, 2022, Rzayev was arrested on charges of extortion by threat, under Article 182.2.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code. The Ganja Serious Crimes Court subsequently sentenced him to 6.5 years in prison. His wife, Arzu Rzayeva, and supporters have consistently claimed that these charges were fabricated due to his investigative journalism exposing corruption among local officials.
Appeal Process: In May 2024, the Ganja Court of Appeal upheld the initial verdict, maintaining the 6.5-year sentence. During the appeal, Rzayev reportedly went on a hunger strike to protest what he described as an unjust trial.
International Recognition:
Human rights organizations, including the Institute for Human Rights, have recognized Rzayev as a political prisoner, highlighting concerns over the fairness of his trial and the legitimacy of the charges against him.
Current Status:
As of April 2025, Rzayev remains incarcerated. His case continues to draw attention from international communities advocating for press freedom and the protection of journalists' rights in Azerbaijan.Osman Narimanoglu Rzayev, known professionally as Osman Rzayev, is an Azerbaijani journalist and the founder of the news website Demokratik.az. He has been a vocal critic of government policies, particularly concerning issues of corruption.
Legal Issues:
Arrest and Sentencing: On July 5, 2022, Rzayev was arrested on charges of extortion by threat, under Article 182.2.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code. The Ganja Serious Crimes Court subsequently sentenced him to 6.5 years in prison. His wife, Arzu Rzayeva, and supporters have consistently claimed that these charges were fabricated due to his investigative journalism exposing corruption among local officials.
Appeal Process: In May 2024, the Ganja Court of Appeal upheld the initial verdict, maintaining the 6.5-year sentence. During the appeal, Rzayev reportedly went on a hunger strike to protest what he described as an unjust trial.
International Recognition:
Human rights organizations, including the Institute for Human Rights, have recognized Rzayev as a political prisoner, highlighting concerns over the fairness of his trial and the legitimacy of the charges against him.
Current Status:
As of April 2025, Rzayev remains incarcerated. His case continues to draw attention from international communities advocating for press freedom and the protection of journalists' rights in Azerbaijan.
Osman Rzayev
Journalist, editor of Demokratik.az
Extortion by threat, Art. 182.2.2 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan
2022-07-05
Occupation:
Charges:
Arested:
Status:
Osman Narimanoglu Rzayev, known professionally as Osman Rzayev, is an Azerbaijani journalist and the founder of the news website Demokratik.az. He has been a vocal critic of government policies, particularly concerning issues of corruption.
Legal Issues:
Arrest and Sentencing: On July 5, 2022, Rzayev was arrested on charges of extortion by threat, under Article 182.2.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code. The Ganja Serious Crimes Court subsequently sentenced him to 6.5 years in prison. His wife, Arzu Rzayeva, and supporters have consistently claimed that these charges were fabricated due to his investigative journalism exposing corruption among local officials.
Appeal Process: In May 2024, the Ganja Court of Appeal upheld the initial verdict, maintaining the 6.5-year sentence. During the appeal, Rzayev reportedly went on a hunger strike to protest what he described as an unjust trial.
International Recognition:
Human rights organizations, including the Institute for Human Rights, have recognized Rzayev as a political prisoner, highlighting concerns over the fairness of his trial and the legitimacy of the charges against him.
Current Status:
As of April 2025, Rzayev remains incarcerated. His case continues to draw attention from international communities advocating for press freedom and the protection of journalists' rights in Azerbaijan.Osman Narimanoglu Rzayev, known professionally as Osman Rzayev, is an Azerbaijani journalist and the founder of the news website Demokratik.az. He has been a vocal critic of government policies, particularly concerning issues of corruption.
Legal Issues:
Arrest and Sentencing: On July 5, 2022, Rzayev was arrested on charges of extortion by threat, under Article 182.2.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code. The Ganja Serious Crimes Court subsequently sentenced him to 6.5 years in prison. His wife, Arzu Rzayeva, and supporters have consistently claimed that these charges were fabricated due to his investigative journalism exposing corruption among local officials.
Appeal Process: In May 2024, the Ganja Court of Appeal upheld the initial verdict, maintaining the 6.5-year sentence. During the appeal, Rzayev reportedly went on a hunger strike to protest what he described as an unjust trial.
International Recognition:
Human rights organizations, including the Institute for Human Rights, have recognized Rzayev as a political prisoner, highlighting concerns over the fairness of his trial and the legitimacy of the charges against him.
Current Status:
As of April 2025, Rzayev remains incarcerated. His case continues to draw attention from international communities advocating for press freedom and the protection of journalists' rights in Azerbaijan.