Azerbaijani Journalist Khadija Ismayilova Sentenced in Baku

Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova was sentenced to seven and a half years in jail on September 1 after being found guilty of charges including libel, abuse of power, and embezzlement.

Ismayilova had conducted investigations into alleged corruption relating to President Ilham Aliyev and other officals, involving offshore accounts and companies, as reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

The verdict was condemned as “outrageous” by The International Federation of Journalists and its European organisation, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ). Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Europe and Central Asia, said it was an “unfair trial relying on fabricated charges,” while the UK Foreign Office said it was “extremely concerned” by her sentencing.

Footage here shows Ismayilova’s Friends and relatives awaiting the verdict outside the court. Credit: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty