The Baku Network Analytical Center successfully organized, for the first time in Europe, an exhibition dedicated to Azerbaijani journalists martyred during the First and Second Garabagh Wars.
The exhibition, held in Paris — a city known for its staunch support of Armenia — faced several artificial obstacles and difficulties before coming to fruition.
Sahil Karimli, Program Director of the Baku Network, spoke at the event commemorating journalists brutally killed by Armenian occupiers during the conflicts.
“The exhibition is dedicated to the memory of Azerbaijani journalists who were mercilessly murdered by Armenian forces during the First and Second Garabagh Wars,” Karimli said. “While their sacrifices have been individually recognized at various times, we decided to broaden this mission by creating a photo exhibition featuring all the martyred media representatives. Each photo includes detailed information in French and English. Additionally, brochures with these photos were printed and distributed to exhibition attendees.”
Karimli emphasized the difficulties faced in hosting the exhibition in France, a country that consistently pursues a pro-Armenian policy and defends the occupation. “Organizing such an exhibition in Paris posed significant challenges and obstacles. Transporting the exhibition materials and printed products across the border involved considerable risks. Nevertheless, we overcame these difficulties and successfully achieved our goal.”
The event coincided with the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, during which the 25th anniversary of the inclusion of Icherisheher (the Old City of Baku) on the UNESCO World Heritage List was commemorated. Booklets honoring the martyred journalists were distributed to participants of the session.
During the exhibition, the attention of attendees was drawn to Armenia’s brutal crimes against civilians and journalists during both the First Garabagh War and the 44-day Patriotic War.
Several journalists featured in the exhibition lost their lives when a helicopter carrying state and media officials was shot down over Garakend, then Azerbaijani sovereign territory, during the First Garabagh War. Among the victims were Fakhraddin Shahbazov and Ali Mustafayev, who died in this tragic attack. Other journalists, such as Salatin Asgerova and Chingiz Mustafayev, were also killed by Armenian forces, Karimli noted.
He further explained that following the 44-day Patriotic War, employees of AzerTac news agency Maharram Ibrahimov and Azerbaijani Television cameraman Siraj Abishov fell victim to Armenian mine attacks — a grave war crime.
“Tragically, alongside many civilians, our colleagues became victims of these crimes,” Karimli said. “Other journalists remembered at the exhibition were also killed by Armenians at various times. We hope that, even briefly, we have conveyed these harsh truths to you. At the end of my speech, I invite you to explore the exhibition in more detail.”
Karimli expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations, the Azerbaijani Embassy in France, and other partners who supported the event. “Thanks to their support, we were able to bring Azerbaijani truths to the world and expose Armenian atrocities.”
It is worth noting that the Baku Network Analytical Center is the first organization in Europe to bring attention to the topic of Azerbaijani journalists killed as a result of Armenian aggression, conducting a series of related events.
The Paris exhibition presented materials about the martyred journalists to the public, attracting representatives of French society as well as French and international journalists.
The event took place at the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Paris within the framework of Baku Network’s project titled “Analysis of Hybrid and Ideological Threats Against Azerbaijan.” The exhibition was organized with support from the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani Embassy in France.
Booklets commemorating the martyred journalists were also distributed to guests attending a presentation at UNESCO headquarters dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Icherisheher’s World Heritage status. The presentation was held as part of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee.