July 22 marks the Natioal Press day in Azerbaijan. This year, it also marks the day of the hearing in the case of the investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova.
Three years ago on this day Khadija Ismayilova received "Dedication" award by Azerbaijan's Journalists Union.
It was her tireless dedication to truth that earned her this award as well as many others she received over the course of the past years.
Ismayilova was arrested last year on December 5 and originally charged with "incitement to suicide". In February, additional charges were brought against Ismayilova under Articles 179.3.2 (embezzlement on a large scale), 192.2.2 (illegal entrepreneurship), 213.1 (tax evasion), and 308.2 (abuse of power) of the Criminal Code.
Ismayilova's colleagues find charges politically motivated and the direct result of Ismayilova's investigative work which have exposed the ruling family's offshore accounts and a chain of businesses, properties and more.
Amnesty International recognized Ismayilova "prisoner of conscience".