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International human rights organization “Amnesty International” has recognized the Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova a prisoner of conscience, was noted in a statement posted on organization’s official website.

“Amnesty International believes that the accusation against Khadija Ismayilova has political motives and is the latest attempt to silence her journalistic activities after long persecution. Khadija Ismayilova was threatened earlier for conducting investigative journalism, was subject to criminal prosecution for libel. “Amnesty International” believes that Khadija Ismayilova is a prisoner of conscience," the statement reads.

By this statement “Amnesty International” calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release Ismayilova, who was detained only for exercising their rights to freedom of expression. The statement is a call to the Azerbaijani authorities to ensure smooth operation of the lawyer of the journalist.

“Amnesty International” encourages the international community to send this application to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prosecutor General Zakir Garalov, and to disseminate it in the diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan of their countries.

On December 5, morning, well-known Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova was detained after being questioned at the prosecutor's office. Baku Sabail District Court made a decision to detain her for two months. She was charged with incitement to suicide. If the fault of the journalist is proven, then she can be punished by a term of 3 to 7 years in prison. Khadija Ismayilova has become the target of attacks of the government for her journalistic activities. Ismayilova is an author of a number of journalistic investigations of corruption in the highest echelons of power in Azerbaijan. In recent years, she is conducting a talk show in the Azerbaijani Service of “Radio Liberty”.