Alongside an investigative journalism consortium, RFI and France 24 are continuing investigations into imprisoned journalists from the independent Azeri media outlet Abzas Media. This work, published since Thursday February 1 by around ten partner media*, allows us to lift the veil on several embarrassing cases for the Azerbaijani authorities.
International activities around a gold mine, acts of torture in the country's prisons, presidential election under international tension... For a month, the members of the consortium worked on several investigations.
In the jails of Azerbaijan: torture continues, as does European cooperation
As the presidential election which will take place in Azerbaijan on February 7 approaches, repression has increased against opponents of President Ilham Aliyev as well as NGOs and independent journalists still active in the country. Daniel Vallot, Karina Chabour and Roméo Langlois investigate the practice of torture in Azerbaijani detention centers. The journalists also return to the continued cooperation between European institutions and the country's judicial and penitentiary system.
By Daniel Vallot, journalist in the international service of RFI and France 24 reporters Karina Chabour and Roméo Langlois. To be found in the evening news editions of RFI Thursday February 1, in the morning Friday February 2, and on France 24 Thursday February 1.
The Gedabek gold mine in western Azerbaijan
Operated since 2012 by a British company, the Gedabek gold mine has caused great tensions in Azerbaijan. In June 2023, residents of Söyüdlü, in the west of the country, demonstrated against the plan to build a second waste storage lake from this mine. They believe that the first lake, located 400 meters from their village, pollutes the soil and water and claims that cyanide vapors cause respiratory illnesses. Journalist Corentin Bainier highlights the testimonies of activists and residents of the region, supplemented by insights from experts to understand the risks generated by this exploitation.
This investigation by Corentin Bainier can be found on the France 24 Observers website on Friday February 2.
*Among which: The Guardian, Le Monde, RTS, IRPI (Italy) Le Monde, Radio France, Knack et Le Soir, NRC (Netherlands), ZDF (Germany), Der Standard (Austria)
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