Elnara Gasimova

Elnara Gasimova (born February 5, 1996, in Baku) is an Azerbaijani reporter, journalist, and political prisoner. Since 2018, she has worked with various independent and critical media outlets, including "Açıq Azərbaycan", Meydan TV, Voice of America (VOA), BBC Azerbaijan, Mikroskop Media, and Abzas Media.
On January 13, 2024, Elnara Gasimova, who had faced repeated harassment, pressure, and detention due to her journalistic activities, was detained at the Main Police Department of Baku City. She was summoned to testify as a witness in the "AbzasMedia case" but was subsequently charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling on preliminary arrangement by group of persons) and arrested. Her detention has been strongly criticized by numerous local and international human rights defenders and institutions.
She is currently held in Investigation Detention Center No. 1.
==Early life and education==
Elnara Gasimova was born on February 5, 1996, in Baku. She graduated from Baku State College of Communication and Transport in 2014 and Baku School of Journalism in 2016. She has been involved in journalism since 2018, working with several independent media outlets. Since October 2023, she has been producing videos for "Abzas Media".
==Journalism career==
Elnara Gasimova, who covered the protest action of feminists in 2021, was detained by the officers of the Khazar District Police Department along with her colleagues. A recording of them being threatened and subjected to violence in the office has been released.
Gasimova has mainly worked for Abzas Media, an independent media platform focusing on investigative journalism concerning government officials in Azerbaijan, particularly alleged corruption in reconstruction efforts in Karabakh since 2020. Between 2022 and 2023, Abzas Media investigated the family members of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, the head of the Presidential Security Service Baylar Eyyubov, and the head of the State Security Service Ali Naghiyev. They also published reports on tenders linked to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and PASHA Holding . The "Unsolved Crimes" series featured research on various individuals, including former metro chief Taghi Ahmadov, former rector of Baku Slavic University Nurlana Aliyeva, former commander of the 1st Army Corps Hikmat Hasanov, former mayor of Baku Hajibala Abutalybov, former deputy Elmira Akhundova, former Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Huseyngulu Baghirov, and current Minister of Finance Samir Sharifov, highlighting uninvestigated crimes.
==Arrest and detention==
On November 20, 2023, Ulvi Hasanli, the CEO of Abzas Media, was detained near his home while heading to the airport for an international trip. He was taken to the Main Police Department of Baku city, where searches were conducted at both his residence and the Abzas Media office. Hasanli's lawyer, Zibeyda Sadigova, stated that during a five-hour search at the office, the police allegedly discovered 40,000 euros. That same night, Sevinj Vagifgizi, the editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, was detained by police at Heydar Aliyev International Airport upon her return from Istanbul, and her apartment was searched. Both journalists were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling with a preliminary arrangement by a group of persons) and placed in pre-trial detention.
Elnara Gasimova was interrogated twice as a witness in connection with the "Abzas Media" case—on November 24, 2023, and January 13, 2024. During her last summons on January 13, 2024, she was arrested as a suspect. Before being interrogated, she stated:
"I don't think they called me for questioning. They will arrest me. Knowing this, I go prepared. Despite so many arrests, Abzas Media continued to operate. It seems that even with my arrest, they intend to shut down Abzas Media entirely."
On January 15, 2024, Elnara Gasimova was formally charged under Article 206.3.2 (smuggling on preliminary arrangement by group of persons) of the Criminal Code, and the charge was announced to her. On the same day, the Baku City Khatai District Court ordered her arrest for 2 months, until March 13, 2024. On March 7, 2024, the court extended her detention by 3 months, until June 13, 2024. During a trial held on June 10, 2024, her detention was further extended for another 2 months. The investigation is being conducted by the Serious Crimes Investigation Department of the Main Police Department of Baku City. Gasimova is currently detained in the Baku Pre-trial Detention Center. She has stated in her statements to the investigation and in court that she does not accept the charge, claims she is not guilty, and believes she is being punished for her journalistic activities.
The European Federation of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum have all called on the Azerbaijani government to release Elnara Gasimova and her colleagues.
==See also==
* Nargiz Absalamova
* Sevinj Vagifgizi
Category:1996 births
Category:Journalists
Category:People from Baku
Category:Azerbaijani journalists
Category:Azerbaijani people