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U.S. Representative Howard Berman sent a letter to Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on World Press Freedom Day where he has expressed concern over increasing reports of intimidation and violence toward journalists in Azerbaijan, Radio Free Europe said.

“Recent incidents have highlighted long-held concerns regarding the ability to express one's thoughts and opinions freely in Azerbaijan,” said the congressman in his letter.

Berman said five journalists were beaten up by security personnel of a state oil company as they were reporting on the demolition of houses that the company said were illegally built on its land.

Berman also noted that RFE/RL Azerbaijani Service correspondent Khadija Ismayilova was the focus of a campaign of intimidation and coercion due to her investigative journalism.

Berman urged Baku to prosecute those responsible for the cases, and to protect journalists against future threats.