U.S. 'disturbed' by arrest of Azeri journalist
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 25 April 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. 'disturbed' by arrest of Azeri journalist, 25 April 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53a137ab1b.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 25, 2014
By RFE/RL
The United States says it is "troubled" by the arrest of Azeri journalist Rauf Mirqadirov in Baku and that espionage charges against him may be politically motivated.
Washington is "disturbed by allegations that his arrest may have been connected with his critical reporting about the Azerbaijani government or his participation in people-to-people programs aimed at easing tensions and building confidence in the region," U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington on April 24.
Mirqadirov, a commentator for the independent Russian-language daily "Zerkalo," was taken into custody at Baku's Heydar Aliyev Airport on April 19 after being deported from Turkey, where he had lived with his family for the past three years.
He has been charged with espionage for allegedly providing Azeri state secrets to Armenian security services.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website