Fact Check: Azerbaijani Authorities Arrested Six Journalists for Allegedly Smuggling 40,000 Euros
What We Know
In November 2023, six journalists from Abzas Media, an independent Azerbaijani investigative outlet, were arrested by Azerbaijani authorities. The authorities claimed that they discovered 40,000 euros in cash at the outlet's office in Baku and accused the journalists of conspiring to smuggle foreign currency into Azerbaijan (AP News, Reuters). The journalists, including the outlet's director and chief editor, denied the charges, asserting that they were politically motivated and aimed at silencing independent journalism (AP News, Reuters).
The arrests were part of a broader crackdown on media in Azerbaijan, which has seen increasing hostility towards independent journalists and outlets. Following their arrest, the journalists faced multiple charges, including illegal entrepreneurship and tax evasion, with sentences ranging from 7.5 to 9 years in prison handed down in June 2025 (AP News, Reuters).
Analysis
The claim that Azerbaijani authorities arrested six journalists for allegedly smuggling 40,000 euros is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press and Reuters both reported on the arrests and the subsequent charges, detailing the context of the arrests as part of a larger pattern of media suppression in Azerbaijan (AP News, Reuters).
The credibility of these sources is strong; both are well-established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. The Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International have condemned the actions of the Azerbaijani government, labeling the charges against the journalists as fabricated and politically motivated (AP News, Reuters). This external validation from reputable human rights organizations adds weight to the claim that the arrests were not based on legitimate criminal activity but rather on an attempt to stifle dissent and independent reporting.
Furthermore, the timeline of events aligns with the claims made. The journalists were arrested in November 2023, and the authorities' assertion of finding 40,000 euros in cash has been consistently reported across various outlets (AP News, Reuters, Reuters). The journalists' defense, which emphasizes their role in exposing corruption and injustice, further supports the notion that the charges are politically motivated (AP News, Reuters).
Conclusion
The claim that Azerbaijani authorities arrested six journalists for allegedly smuggling 40,000 euros is True. The evidence from multiple credible news sources and the context of ongoing media suppression in Azerbaijan confirm that the arrests were politically motivated and part of a broader strategy to silence independent journalism.
Sources
- Azerbaijan court convicts 7 journalists, sentences them to prison | AP News
- Azerbaijan hands down long prison terms to seven journalists amid media crackdown | Reuters
- Azerbaijan, accused of stifling press, puts 7 news staff on trial | Reuters
- Azerbaijan sentences 7 journalists to prison in latest media crackdown | ABC News
- Farid Mehralizada, 6 Journalists Jailed in Azerbaijan Crackdown | Undercoverist
- Azerbaijan hands down long prison terms to seven journalists amid media crackdown | The Straits Times
- Azerbaijan jails 7 journalists in latest media crackdown on | MRT
