Both organizations condemn the Azerbaijani government's recent actions aimed at further tightening control over the information space and demand the immediate release of imprisoned journalists.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have issued a statement condemning the Azerbaijani government's harsh policies against critical media and journalists.

The statement highlights that the government continues to exert pressure by imprisoning more journalists and creating an environment where media outlets that disagree with the authorities cannot operate freely.

Both organizations strongly denounce the government's recent actions aimed at tightening control over the information sphere and demand the immediate release of all imprisoned journalists.

According to the statement, Azerbaijani authorities have escalated their repression in recent weeks. Journalists Shahnaz Baylarqizi, Nurlan Qahramanli, and Shamshad Agha, editor-in-chief of "Argument.az," have been arrested, and the "BBC News" office in Baku has been shut down.

It further notes that more than 25 media workers have been imprisoned as part of three major criminal cases against "Abzas Media," "Toplum TV," and "Meydan TV," with most of them facing charges related to foreign currency smuggling.

The organizations also mention the reduction of "Sputnik Azerbaijan" staff to just one person and the revocation of accreditation for "Voice of America" reporters.

While the independent news agency "Turan" announced it was ceasing operations due to ongoing financial difficulties, its director, Mehman Aliyev, told "OC Media" that the closure was the result of "political orders."

"The government is systematically silencing critical voices and creating an environment where independent media can no longer function. There are barely any journalists left in the country, and financial resources have been exhausted. It is clear that the government aims to completely eradicate all dissenting voices. We demand the immediate release of all journalists who have been unjustly detained and persecuted for their work in Azerbaijan," said EFJ Secretary General Ricardo Gutiérrez.

IFJ Secretary General Anthony Bellanger also called on the Azerbaijani government to halt its crackdown on independent journalists and media.

"We are witnessing a wave of repression aimed at silencing and further restricting independent journalists and critical voices. The Azerbaijani authorities must stop targeting media workers and immediately release all journalists who have been unjustly imprisoned," Bellanger emphasized.