RFE/RL Baku Reporters Say E-Mails Compromised

Investigators from the state prosecutor’s office who raided RFE/RL’s Baku bureau on December 26 seized computers, hard drives, and other equipment before sealing off the premises.

Employees at RFE/RL’s Baku bureau whose computers were seized in a recent raid by Azerbaijani authorities say their private e-mail accounts have been compromised since the raid.

The incident is the latest development related to a government crackdown against RFE/RL’s Azerbaijani Service, known locally as Radio Azadliq.

Investigators from the state prosecutor’s office who raided RFE/RL’s Baku bureau on December 26 seized computers, hard drives, and other equipment before sealing off the premises.

RFE/RL correspondents have said messages appeared to have subsequently been sent from their private e-mail accounts by an unknown person or persons.

More than 20 current and former RFE/RL employees have been detained or summoned for questioning by prosecutors since the raid.

On January 7, the regional prosecutor in Imishli ordered RFE/RL’s correspondent in the region to appear for questioning on January 8.

The government’s focus on Radio Azadliq comes amid a broader crackdown it has launched against independent journalists, activists, and nongovernmental organizations that have criticized authorities in the oil-rich Caspian country.