Farid Mehralizada

Affiliated media: RFE/RL, Journalist, Economist

Incident date: May 30, 2024

Attack type:

• Non-fatal attack / beating / injury / torture

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Safety of Journalists Platform

Location: Azerbaijan, Baku

Additional information:

Farid Mehralizada, an economist and journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Azerbaijani service (Azadliq Radiosu), has been detained since 30 May 2024 on charges of ‘conspiring to smuggle foreign currency’ (Article 206.3.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code). On that day, plainclothes law enforcement officers reportedly seized Mehralizada from the streets of Baku, placing a bag over his head and forcing him into a vehicle. Officers also raided his home and confiscated his computer, cell phones, and car. On 1 June, the Khatai District Court in Baku remanded Mehralizada into pre-trial detention as part of an investigation against the investigative outlet Abzas Media, which is the subject of another Platform alert. Both Abzas Media and Mehralizada denied that the journalist worked for that outlet. Mehralizada covered economic topics for Radio Azadliq, which is blocked in Azerbaijan and has operated from exile since 2014.