Investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova has won a victory over her native Azerbaijan in secretly filmed and sexually published sex videos. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) sentenced Azerbaijan to compensation of 15,000 euros. The authorities did not adequately investigate the case and did not check whether it was related to Ismayilova's anti-government work, the court ruled.
The journalist and winner of the Alternative Nobel Prize researched, among other things, corruption in the authoritarian government of the ex-Soviet republic. In March 2012, according to the ECtHR, she received a threatening letter with screenshots from a secretly recorded video in her apartment showing her having sex with her boyfriend at the time. The sender called on Ismayilova, "Do not do what you do or you'll be exposed." Shortly thereafter, the video was published online, two more videos followed in 2013.
Ismayilova discovered, according to the court, numerous hidden cameras in her apartment. At about the same time, state controlled newspapers printed articles accusing Ismayilova of lack of professionalism and immoral behavior.
The Azerbaijani authorities have violated the journalist's human right to privacy and family life through her inadequate investigation and subsequent disclosure of details from Ismayilova's private life, the ECtHR found. In addition, Azerbaijan has failed to protect freedom of expression. The verdict can be challenged within three months.