/ / AZERBAIJAN: IMPRISONED JOURNALISTS IN CRITICAL NEED OF MEDICAL CARE

AZERBAIJAN: IMPRISONED JOURNALISTS IN CRITICAL NEED OF MEDICAL CARE

UA: Third 2.25

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Meydan TV chief editor Aynur Elgunash, who has a serious kidney condition requiring urgent surgery, was transferred to a penitentiary medical facility on October 18, 2026, but has not received the surgery doctors recommended. On October 26, a Baku court rejected her lawyers’ motion for house arrest, despite medical evidence that her condition deteriorates daily. Her colleague Aytaj Tapdig has been denied necessary medical care, and Shamshad Agha, who has a gastric ulcer, requires medical treatment.

All three must be immediately released along with all Meydan TV journalists, who are targeted under trumped-up, politically motivated charges.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: January 30, 2027

Here is how you can take action:

Send a letter to the Azerbaijani authorities
Send an email to the Azerbaijani authorities
Post on social media

Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).

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Step 1

READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION

Enter your email address and zip code to get the sample letter to send to government officials.

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You can now write a letter in your own words or download the sample below as a guide.

Remember to send your letter by January 30, 2027.

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Sample Letter

Dear President Aliyev,

I am concerned about the arbitrarily detained journalists of Meydan TV, including Aynur Elgunash, Aytaj Tapdig, and Shamshad Agha, whose health is deteriorating in detention, and who are not receiving necessary health care.

Aynur Elgunash, editor in chief of Meydan TV, who has disability, was transferred to the Penitentiary Service’s Medical Facility on October 18, 2026, following a serious deterioration in her health. Despite medical evidence that her condition deteriorates daily and that she requires urgent surgery, on October 26, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes rejected her lawyer’s motion for house arrest without addressing the medical grounds. Journalist Aytaj Tapdig has been denied otolaryngology care for over 22 months, despite a deviated septum, and journalist Shamshad Agha, who has a gastric ulcer, requires necessary care at the treatment facility he was transferred to. Other arbitrarily detained journalists from independent Azerbaijani outlets face similar denial of healthcare.

Meydan TV journalists have also been subjected to torture and other ill-treatment by authorities, including sexual violence and physical assault, none of which has been effectively investigated.

I urge you to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Aynur Elgunash, Aytaj Tapdig, and Shamshad Agha, and all other arbitrarily detained Meydan TV journalists and to ensure they receive urgently needed healthcare. I also call for an effective and independent investigation into all allegations of torture and other ill-treatment, and for an immediate end to the misuse of the criminal justice system to target independent journalists and peaceful dissent in Azerbaijan.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Step 2

Send your message

Mail your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also email, fax, call, or post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

lham Aliyev

President of Azerbaijan

19 Istiqlaliyyat Street

Baku AZ1066, Azerbaijan

[email protected]

and

CC: Embassy of Azerbaijan in the United States

Ambassador Khazar Ibrahim

Send a copy of your letter to the address below

2741 34th St NW,

Washington, DC 20008

[email protected]

When writing your letter, don’t forget to be factual, brief, and show respect. See more letter writing tips and emails, or organize and host a letter writing party.

Other Urgent Actions for this Case

First UA Issued: [Azerbaijan 2.25]

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