Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 28 / Trend E. Kosolapova /
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, today welcomed the release of two convicted journalists and a blogger from prison, the OSCE said today.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev issued a decree pardoning 86 prisoners on December 26,
ahead of a national holiday. Two journalists - Anar Bayramli, an Azerbaijan-based correspondent for Iranian Sahar TV, and Aydin Janiyev, a regional correspondent for the newspaper Khural are among pardoned.
"I hope this commendable step to release Anar Bayramli, Aydin Janiyev and Taleh Khasmammadov will be followed by more action. All journalists in detention should be released," Mijatović said.
During a recent trip to Baku for official meetings Mijatović was able to visit detained journalists Avaz Zeynalli, the chief editor of Khural, independent journalist Faramaz Novruzoglu (Allahverdiyev), executive director of Khayal TV Vugar Gonagov and chief editor of Tolishi Sado newspaper, Hilal Mammadov.