Third Azerbaijani journalist released from prison

We issued the following statement after authorities released Ali Hasanov, editor of the pro-government daily Ideal, who had been serving a six-month jail term for criminal defamation. The journalist served all but one month of his sentence and was freed under the Pardon Act passed by parliament last month...

"We welcome the early release of Ali Hasanov but remain gravely concerned about at least three other journalists who remain behind bars on trumped-up charges in Azerbaijan," said CPJ Europe and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova. "The government of President Ilham Aliyev should end its restrictive policy towards the press and release all jailed journalists."

April 15, 2009 2:16 PM ET | Permalink