By: georgia

KEY DEVELOPMENTS: 

May 2013 - May 2014

Internet cafes were reportedly forced to temporarily shut down in the Nakhchivan region as part of a ban on gatherings ahead of the presidential election (see Obstacles to Access).

An increasing number of journalists and activists who are active online were given harsh prison sentences on trumped-up charges (see Violations of User Rights).

In May 2013, amid a growing crackdown on press and online freedoms ahead of the presidential election, the parliament passed amendments to the criminal code that extended criminal penalties for defamation to online content (see Violations of User Rights).

See full report on Azerbaijan