149:. Both countries accused the other of interfering in their domestic affairs. Azerbaijani authorities had recently criticized Sahar TV, for which Bayramli is a reporter, for "deliberately seeking to destabilize the country". Prior to the arrest, Bayramli had twice been brought to the police station for questioning. He later stated that the police officers pressured him to quit his job with Iranian media.
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Several international human rights organizations have questioned the charges against
Bayramli. Amnesty International described the charges against him as "politically motivated; trumped up by Azerbaijan’s secular authorities in order to silence their coverage of religious issues". The organization
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On 17 February 2012, he was again brought to the police station for questioning. After fifteen minutes of questioning, police searched his coat, which had been left unattended in a waiting room. They found a parcel which
Bayramli stated he did not recognize containing 0.387 grams of heroin, and
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Bayramli's arrest came in a year of growing tension between
Azerbaijan and Iran. Iran accused Azerbaijan of assisting in the assassination of nuclear scientists, and withdrew its ambassador following complaints by Iranian religious leaders over Azerbaijan's hosting of
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television station. In June 2012, an
Azerbaijan court sentenced him to two years' imprisonment on a charge of drug possession. Bayramli's family and several human rights organizations have described the charges as politically motivated.
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An
Iranian embassy official denounced the charge, calling Bayramli "a devout, respectable person" and warning the arrest could worsen relations between the countries.
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called for an independent investigation into
Bayramli's possible framing. In approving the decision to release imprisoned journalist
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and stating that "silencing government critics by planting drugs on them is a favored method of authorities in
Azerbaijan."
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Bayramli was charged with drug possession. Bayramli was convicted on 12 June 2012 and sentenced to two years' imprisonment.
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designated him a prisoner of conscience and urged his immediate release. The
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called the charges "trumped-up", comparing the case to that of
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stated that it hoped
Bayramli also would soon be freed.
251:"Azerbaijan jails Iranian journalist on drugs charge"
329:. The Committee to Protect Journalists. 12 June 2012
223:"Azerbaijan: Reporter Sentenced on Spurious Charges"
327:"In Azerbaijan, reporter convicted on drug charges"
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Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe
350:"Azerbaijan activist freed ahead of Clinton visit"
305:"Iranian journalist held in Azerbaijan over drugs"
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303:Lada Yevgrashina (20 February 2012).
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284:. Amnesty International. 1 May 2012
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225:. Human Rights Watch. 12 June 2012
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249:Lada Evgrashina (12 June 2012).
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352:. Google News. Associated Press
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354:. Retrieved
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255:. Retrieved
227:. Retrieved
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44:Soviet Union
378:1981 births
112:Azerbaijani
108: 1981
97:Azerbaijani
55:Azerbaijani
51:Nationality
372:Categories
206:References
140:Background
64:Journalist
61:Occupation
307:. Reuters
253:. Reuters
194:See also
162:Response
110:) is an
103:; born
32:c. 1981
356:1 July
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135:Arrest
288:2 May
120:Sahar
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