Sevinj Vagifgizi awarded RSF’s “Courage Prize”

Sevinj Vagifgizi, the imprisoned editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, has won the “Courage Prize” of the “Press Freedom Awards” established by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

RSF’s 33rd Press Freedom Awards were presented on November 15 at the organization’s 40th-anniversary festival held in Paris.

At the event, along with Sevinj Vagifgizi, Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda (Impact Prize), Myanmar journalist Shin Daeve (Independence Prize), Burkinabé journalist Atiana Serge Oulon (the “Mohamed Maïga” award for investigative journalism in Africa) and French photojournalist Robin Tütenjes (Lucas Dolega–SAIF Photo Award) were also honored.

The award given to Sevinj Vagifgizi was accepted on her behalf by Abzas Media’s director, Gunel Safarova. She also read out a letter from the editor-in-chief addressed to the ceremony’s participants.

RSF described Sevinj Vagifgizi as “a symbol of dignity and hope for her commitment to principles, her persistence in refusing to be silenced despite pressure, and her resilience in the face of injustice.”
The organization’s statement said that these journalists are symbols of courage and independence:

“Through these awards, we recognize journalists who defend the truth with unwavering dedication to their work and to journalism, despite bombings, censorship, and imprisonment. They are symbols of courage and independence. Let us applaud them, amplify their voices, and share their work.”

Sevinj Vagifgizi is currently one of seven people imprisoned in the “Abzas Media case.

In June 2025, the Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced her and the organization’s director Ulvi Hasanli, investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, and economist Farid Mehralizada to 9 years in prison; reporters Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova to 8 years; and deputy director Mahammad Kekalov to 7 years and 6 months.

According to the court verdict, Sevinj Vagifgizi and the other journalists were found guilty of smuggling and several other charges.

However, they reject the accusations, asserting that their arrests are connected to corruption investigations they conducted at Abzas Media and that the charges are politically motivated.

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