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OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said that she was deeply worried about lengthy prison sentences handed down to two bloggers in Azerbaijan, the statement is published on the official site of the organization.

“The list of individuals imprisoned in Azerbaijan for exercising their right to free speech is growing very rapidly. Muzzling free voices is a serious violation of OSCE commitments on freedom of media and expression, and detrimental to critical reporting,” Mijatović said.

On 4 July and on 27 May Omar Mamedov and Abdul Abilov, online activists and bloggers known for their views critical of the authorities, were sentenced to five and five and a half years imprisonment respectively on charges of illegal storage and sale of drugs, the statement reads.

Mijatović also noted the names of journalist Parviz Hashimli, Nijat Aliyev, editor-in-chief of the azadxeber.org news website, Rashad Ramazanov, an independent blogger, whom the Azerbaijani Court has accused of different charges, the article notes.

“These are very worrying developments. The right of freedom of expression and freedom of the media must be guarantee at all times and I again call on the authorities to stop the practice of silencing members of the media,” Mijatović said.

The OSCE Representative said her office stands ready to assist and help the authorities in improving the media freedom situation in the country, and also reiterated that she looked forward to visiting Azerbaijan in the near future upon invitation from the authorities.