ELNARA GASIMOVA
Courageous journalist working for Abzas Media, known for her contribution to investigations into corruption and her resilience in the face of repeated arrests and government pressure.
About Elnara Gasimova
Elnara Gasimova was born on 5 February 1996, in Baku.
She studied at the Baku State College of Communication and Transport from 2011 to 2014. Elnara Gasimova was a part of the NIDA Civic Movement between 2014 and 2016.
In 2016, she graduated from the Baku Journalism School project. She began her career in media, collaborating with outlets such as Meydan TV, Mikroskop Media, Open Azerbaijan, Voice of America, and Abzas Media.
Throughout her career, Gasimova has faced multiple challenges, including threats and police violence, while performing her journalistic duties. On 4 August 2021, she was detained while covering a protest organised by feminist activists outside the Police Department of Khazar District. An audio recording was released, capturing a police officer allegedly threatening her with violence, demanding that she delete the video footage of the protest.
Currently, Elnara Gasimova has been in detention for over eight months, having celebrated her 28th birthday in the Baku Detention Center. She was first summoned to testify as a witness on 13 January 2024, in the ongoing criminal investigation involving Abzas Media but was subsequently arrested. Like other detained journalists from Abzas Media, she faces charges under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling by an organised group). Authorities allege that Qasimova and Abzas Media’s director Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi (Abbasova), and others smuggled funds into Azerbaijan from foreign donor organisations.
Gasimova denies these charges, maintaining that she and her colleagues are being persecuted for their investigative work, mainly focusing on corruption. She believes their arrests aim to silence independent journalism and halt further exposés. In an interview before her second summoning, Qasimova predicted her arrest, pointing out the similar treatment of journalist Nargiz Absalamova, who had been detained under the same circumstances.
The Main Police Department of Baku City is still conducting the investigation involving Abzas Media.
Resources about Elnara Gasimova
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