Rasim Aliyev (c. 1991 – 11 July 2017) was an Azerbaijani journalist and human‑rights activist. He worked for the independent newspaper Azadlıq (Freedom) and was known for commenting on issues related to law enforcement and civil liberties in Azerbaijan. Aliyev’s death, resulting from a violent attack in Baku, attracted international condemnation and highlighted concerns over press freedom in the country.
Early life and education
Insufficient Encyclopedic Information.
Career
Aliyev was employed by Azadlıq, an opposition‑leaning newspaper that publishes investigative reports and commentary on political and social matters in Azerbaijan. His journalistic work included coverage of law‑enforcement activities and the treatment of detainees, subjects that are often sensitive in the Azerbaijani media environment.
Death
On the evening of 11 July 2017, Aliyev was assaulted outside a café in Baku after posting a critical comment on social media directed at a police officer. He sustained severe injuries and died later in the hospital. The assailants were described by witnesses as a group of men, some of whom were reportedly identified as supporters of a local government official. The case was investigated by Azerbaijani authorities, but as of the latest publicly available reports, the investigation’s outcomes remained contested by human‑rights observers.
Reactions and legacy
The killing prompted statements of concern from international organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the Organization for Security and Co‑operation in Europe (OSCE), which called for a transparent and thorough investigation. Human‑rights groups cited the incident as indicative of the broader risks faced by journalists and activists in Azerbaijan.
See also
- Freedom of the press in Azerbaijan
- List of journalists killed in the 2010s
This entry reflects information available from reputable news agencies and human‑rights monitoring organizations up to the date of its composition.