The U.S. Expresses Deep Concern Over the Raid on Radio Free Europe Office in Baku

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said on Monday, January 8, that the way Azerbaijani officials treated the staff of the Azerbaijan section of Radio Free Europe in Baku, as well as the closure of the office, has raised serious concerns about human rights violations in the country. On Saturday evening, Azerbaijani police went directly to the homes of each member of the Azerbaijan section of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Baku and transferred them to the prosecutor's office for questioning. According to one of the journalists' lawyers, Baku police used 'force and threats' to transfer at least four journalists to the prosecutor's office. According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Jeff Rathke, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated that these actions, as well as denying journalists access to a lawyer during questioning, have heightened concerns. He said Washington wants Baku to demonstrate its commitment to international obligations, including respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. According to Jeff Rathke, the raid and closure of the Azerbaijan section of Radio Free Europe in Baku occurred just five days after a phone conversation between John Kerry, the Secretary of State, and Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, during which Kerry expressed concern about human rights violations in Azerbaijan. Reports indicate that twelve staff members of the Azerbaijan section of Radio Free Europe in Baku, who were summoned and detained for questioning on December 27 and 28, were only released after signing a formal commitment not to disclose details of the interrogations. At least eight current and former staff members of this office were also summoned to the Azerbaijani prosecutor's office on January 8. Meanwhile, Ilham Aliyev issued a decree on Monday to pardon 87 prisoners, some of whom were political prisoners. The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department welcomed the Azerbaijani president's action to pardon these prisoners and assessed it as a step in the 'right' direction. However, Jeff Rathke stated that they urge Azerbaijani officials to release other prisoners who have been imprisoned in connection with their rights to fundamental freedoms based on such a pardon. Previously, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe assessed the raid on the Azerbaijan section of Radio Free Europe in Baku as a serious blow to media freedom and freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. The budget for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and its various services is funded by the U.S. Congress.