Banner by which the Center for Investigative Journalism made common cause with journalist Khadija Ismayilova and discontented representatives of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Chisinau will be displayed on rotational basis at the offices of many NGOs in the Republic of Moldova. This decision was taken by representatives of NGOs present at the protest on Tuesday May 3 on the World Press Freedom Day, held in front of the diplomatic mission after the CIJM team was intimidated by a representative of the Embassy.

This week the banner was displayed at the office of Transparency International-Moldova organization and other institutions will do the same in the weeks to come. 

Team of the Center for Investigative Journalism voiced solidarity with the journalist Khadija Ismayilova, sentenced to seven years and six months in prison. The Center displayed on Thursday, April 21, a banner on the balcony of its office, located right next to the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Moldova, demanding her release. We have been forced to abandon this form of protest and to remove the banner on Friday, April 22, at the request of the owner of the building where the office of the Center is placed. Soon, the man who refused to introduce himself, but who claimed to be a representative of the embassy of Azerbaijan in Chisinau, came to CIJM's office insisting to remove the banner and disclose the author of the idea, the person or company who executed this order. The official threatened us openly and repeatedly and said that we would have big problems. CIJM has recently notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration but the latter did not take any attitude to this situation.  

Journalist Khadija Ismayilova, author of several investigations about the businesses controlled by President Ilham Aliev, has been convicted for alleged tax evasion. Human rights organizations have labeled the charges as political.