Agil Alasgar (Farajev)

Affiliated media: Yeni Cag Media Group, Director

Incident date: July 30, 2018

Attack type:

• Abduction, taking captive / hostage, illegal deprivation of liberty

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Mapping Media Freedom

Location: Azerbaijan, Baku

Additional information:

Radio Azadliq, the Azerbaijani service of Radio Free Europe, reported that Agil Alasgar had gone missing, according to his wife. Alasgar, who has been in charge of the Yeni Cag Media Group since 2007, was freed the following day. In a message on Facebook soon after Alasgar's disappearance, the head of the media council, Aflatun Amashov said that the council would do everything possible to find Alasgar. A few hours after his supposed disappearance, Alasgar was reportedly detained by the Department against organised crime. The reason for his interrogation remains unknown. According to the journalist in a video shared by Alasgar after his release, his detainment and questioning was a misunderstanding. Yeni Cag Media Group is known for its pro-government coverage in Azerbaijan.