BAKU -- An Azerbaijani journalist, who was released from prison after serving a five-year term for hooliganism, a charge he has rejected as politically motivated, says the incarceration did not make him change his views.
Before his arrest in August 2014, Seymur Hazi worked for the opposition newspaper Azadliq (Liberty). He was also a television anchor and is a member of the opposition Popular Front Party.
In January 2015, he was found guilty of hooliganism and handed a five-year prison term.
Amnesty International has recognized Hazi as a prisoner of conscience.
Hazi, who was released early on August 29, told his colleagues and relatives that the prison had not broken him.
"My attitude has not changed. It [my sentencing] was the authorities' order to make me stop talking... The authorities demonstrated that they cannot stand criticism and their only response to criticism is persecution," Hazi said.
In December, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Hazi's arrest was illegal and ordered the Azerbaijani government to pay him 13,000 euros ($14,400) as compensation.
Azerbaijani Journalist Says Five Years In Prison Did Not Change Him
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
Losing Syria Is A 'Huge Slap In The Face' For Russia
2The Ruble Swoons And Russia's Economy Wobbles Further
3Romanian Court Annuls Presidential Election, Throws Process Into Chaos
4Romania's 'King Of TikTok' Tied To Alleged Scheme Boosting Far-Right Presidential Candidate
5Romanian Elections Targeted By 'Aggressive Hybrid Russian Action,' Declassified Documents Show
6The Wasteland: Shocking New Images From Russian-Occupied Maryinka
7The Bidens And Burisma: President's Pardon Stretches Back To Son's Time As Ukraine Company Board Member
8Trump Says Russia, Iran In 'Weakened State,' Calls On Putin To Make Ukraine Deal
9Syrian Troops Reportedly Thwart Rebel Advance Near Russian Air Base
10EU Orders TikTok Data Freeze Amid Accusations Of Russian Meddling In Romanian Elections
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
