Khadija Ismayilova's mother, Elmira, says her journalist daughter won't be cowed into silence by a lengthy jail sentence. She spoke to journalists outside the Baku courtroom on September 1 where Khadija was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison on a range of charges supporters describe as trumped-up:
"You might say [the authorities] have gotten rid of her. But Khadija won't stop. Her mouth won't close. Her pen won't dry up. She will continue to talk and continue to write. She is a fighter. And she is very strong. And she is telling everyone to stay strong and continue the fight.
"She didn't say anything [in reaction to the verdict]. She only laughed just like she always does. And she told me to say hi to everyone and tell everyone they should stay strong and step up the fight. And that they should not be afraid of anything. No one should be afraid of the court. It's not that frightening.
"I have nothing to say to the government. What would you tell a government that arrested Khadija because of her investigative reports?! Maybe there is something I could tell them -- either fix yourselves or get out.
"As for my message to society, I already said it -- take up the fight. Stand hand in hand, even if it is 10 people and fight back. Let 10 people call another 10 people and turn into hundreds, thousands, and millions and fight."