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 was displayed at the window of Ziarul de Garda. Previously, the banner was placed at the office of the Independent Press Association (IPA). Also, the banner will be displayed by other organizations.

IPA sent today May 18 the banner with the photo of the Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova to their colleagues from Ziarul de Garda.  It is worth mentioning that the banner is displayed on rotational basis at the offices of many NGOs in the Republic of Moldova. This is a call for action in solidarity with the Center for Investigative Journalism in Moldova (CIJM) that has been ordered by the Embassy of Azerbaijan to remove the banner with the image of Khadija from the Center’s office.

The decision to display the banner on rotational basis at the offices of many NGOs in the Republic of Moldova was taken by representatives of NGOs who participated in the protest held on Tuesday, May 3, on the World Press Freedom Day. The protest was held in front of the diplomatic mission after the CIJM team was intimidated by a representative of the Embassy. Previously, the banner was displayed at the window of Transparency International-Moldova.

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.