The editorial staff of the opposition publication linked the blocking of social media accounts to the actions of the Azerbaijani authorities.

The Meta* administration has blocked the Facebook* page of the Azerbaijani opposition newspaper "Azadlyg," citing mass complaints and a 2019 publication about suicide. The editorial staff believes the blockage is part of pressure on the publication critical of the authorities.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the newspaper "Azadlyg" (Freedom) was founded in December 1989 and was one of the first independent publications in modern Azerbaijan. Until the suspension of the print edition in September 2016, it was published six times a week with a circulation of 6,000 copies, making it one of the most popular publications in the country. In 2024, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) recognized the blocking of four websites in Azerbaijan, including azadliq.info, as unlawful and ordered compensation to the applicants.

The page of the Azerbaijani opposition publication "Azadlyg" ("Freedom") on Facebook* has been blocked by the Meta* administration, a representative of the editorial staff reported.

According to the editor of the publication, Rahim Gadjiev, who is in political exile, the notification from Meta* indicated that the reason for the blockage was a news article about suicide published in 2019. At the same time, he stated that a large number of complaints had been received about the page.

"There is no doubt that the Azerbaijani authorities are behind these processes. A targeted campaign to suspend the operation of the 'Azadlyg' page has been ongoing for a long time," Gadjiev told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot."

In his opinion, the complaints are organized by the Azerbaijani authorities, as the publication regularly publishes materials criticizing government policies.

Gadjiev also reported that a few days before the page was blocked, the newspaper's account on Instagram* was closed. In his opinion, complaints on both platforms could have come from the same source.

"The 'Azadlyg' page on Facebook* was very popular. Each publication received hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of comments. This year, the monthly reach of our page, including views of publications, comments, and reposts, reached 23 million users," the editor noted.

According to Gadjiev, the print version of "Azadlyg" ceased to exist in 2016 due to economic pressure and the refusal of publishers to print the newspaper. In 2017, access to the publication's website was blocked in Azerbaijan.

"Due to pressure, many employees of the newspaper were forced to leave the country. The work of the publication has effectively been reduced to publishing news on social media. But even this seemed too much for the authorities, and they achieved the blocking of our accounts," he stated.

The editor-in-chief of "Azadlyg" Ganimat Zahid, who is also in political exile, regarded the blocking of the page as "a continuation of the authorities' pressure on social networks."

According to him, the "Azadlyg" page on Facebook* was "frozen indefinitely" based on mass complaints, which he believes came from trolls.

"Currently, we are discussing the situation with international media organizations and public associations and are counting on their help in achieving the unblocking of our resources," he told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot."

He also reported the blocking on Instagram* of the page of the television program "Azerbaijan Saati" ("Azerbaijan Hour"), which he heads.

Against the backdrop of reports about the blocking of accounts related to the newspaper "Azadlyg," Meydan TV drew attention to Azerbaijan's financial interests in Meta*.

"The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) invested $179 million in Meta shares in the first quarter of 2024, for the first time including the company in the top five largest technology investments of the fund. At that time, Meta shares accounted for 1.4% of SOFAZ's stock portfolio," the publication notes.

Azerbaijani media expert pointed to the political closeness of "Azadlyg" to the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP).

"In the past, the newspaper 'Azadlyg' was the printed organ of the APFP. Later, the ownership transferred to the editorial staff, but the political position of the newspaper remained close to the party platform of the APFP. This party is in irreconcilable opposition to the Azerbaijani authorities, and the materials of 'Azadlyg' contain sharp criticism of the government," the expert told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot."

At the same time, in his opinion, the content of the publication's critical articles generally falls within the framework of freedom of expression as defined by the European Convention on Human Rights.

"Recently, statements from the imprisoned leader of the APFP, Ali Kerimli, reports of violations of his rights in pre-trial detention, as well as materials about the persecution of the politician in leading world media, have been published on the social media pages associated with 'Azadlyg.' Many Azerbaijani users learned about these publications precisely through 'Azadlyg,'" the expert noted.

According to him, the program "Azerbaijan Saati" associated with the publication is also popular. It has over 400,000 subscribers on YouTube.

The Azerbaijani authorities have not yet commented on reports of the blocking of "Azadlyg" pages on social networks.