Khadija Ismayilova v. Azerbaijan

Summary

Khadija Ismayilova, an Azerbaijani journalist and activist, filed an application (no. 30778/15) with the European Court of Human Rights, alleging violations of her rights under Articles 5 (right to liberty and security), 6 § 2 (right to presumption of innocence), 10 (freedom of expression), and 18 (limitations on rights for improper purposes) of the European Convention on Human Rights. Ismayilova, known for her investigative journalism critical of the Azerbaijani government, was arrested in December 2014 on charges including incitement to suicide, embezzlement, illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, and abuse of power. She argued that her arrest lacked a reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing and that her pre-trial detention was unjustified. International observers, including the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and UN Special Rapporteur, expressed concerns about a broader crackdown on dissent in Azerbaijan. Ismayilova’s case highlighted allegations of selective prosecution and reprisals against journalists and activists critical of the government.