Council of Europe Secretary General voices concern about journalist sent to prison in Azerbaijan

“I am very concerned about reports from Azerbaijan that journalist Ilgar Nasibov has been sent to prison as a result of a defamation case.

I am especially concerned about allegations that the defamation case is the result of a private letter which was not meant for publication, that Mr Nasibov may have been denied due process of law, and that he has been ill-treated while in police custody.

I have therefore asked the Azerbaijani authorities to clarify what has happened in the case of Mr Ilgar Nasibov.

As a matter of principle, my strong view is that defamation should not be a criminal offence.”