Elnara Gasimova

Affiliated media: Abzas Media , Journalist

Incident date: October 13, 2025

Attack type:

• Non-fatal attack / beating / injury / torture

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Azadliq.org

Location: Azerbaijan, Baku

Additional information:

Three female journalists from Abzas Media — Sevinj Vagifgizi, Elnara Gasimova and Nargiz Absalamova — who are currently serving prison sentences, have reported being subjected to ill-treatment while in custody. According to their relatives, the journalists have been placed in separate cells shared with inmates who smoke. This situation is causing serious health concerns. Gasimova suffers from bronchial asthma and has difficulty breathing due to cigarette smoke. Absalamova is experiencing similar problems. In addition, the journalists are denied access to independent media and are only allowed to read official, state-run publications. At the end of September, all three women were transferred to the Lankaran Penitentiary Complex, approximately 270 kilometres from Baku. This transfer reportedly violates the law, which requires prisoners to be held in facilities close to their registered place of residence.