CPJ calls for an investigation into attack on Aiten Mamedova

The Azerbaijani authorities must find and punish those responsible for an attack on journalist Aiten Mamedova as soon as possible, the Committee to Protect Journalists states. The US Department of State also called for an investigation into the attack on Aiten Mamedova.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 9, the Azerbaijani Police launched an inquiry into the attack on the journalist, Aiten Mamedova. The incident occurred in the Binagadi District of Baku. The man, who followed Ms Mamedova into the elevator of the building, put a knife to her throat and demanded not to cover a certain trial, after which he disappeared, the victim said, linking the attack with her coverage of a high-profile case of a child murder.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on the Azerbaijan’s authorities to find and punish those responsible for the attack on Aiten Mamedova. “The brazen attack on the journalist and the threats against Aiten Mamedova represent an attack not only on her, but on all journalists in Azerbaijan,” said CPJ Europe and Central Asia Programme Coordinator Gulnoza Said as quoted on the CPJ’s website.

The Azerbaijan’s authorities must send a clear signal that attempts to intimidate and silence journalists are unacceptable, Gulnoza Said has added.

The US Department of State also called for an investigation into the attack on the journalist. “We are deeply concerned about violence, including allegations of assault, and other pressure against citizens who exercise their constitutional rights in Azerbaijan. We condemn the attack on journalist Aiten Mamedova. We are closely monitoring the case and urge the authorities to investigate and hold those responsible accountable,” the “Turan” agency quotes today a spokesperson of the US Department of State as saying.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 12, 2022 at 01:17 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.