# Journalist legal challenges in Azerbaijan > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/journalist-legal-challenges-in-azerbaijan > Updated: 2026-10-17T06:59:29.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2. Journalists and media professionals face legal actions and detention in Azerbaijan. American media organizations have formed a coalition to demand the release of Ulviya Aliashishli and Farid Mehralizada. Aliashishli, a former ‘Voice of America’ employee, was detained in May 2025, while Mehralizada, formerly with ‘Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’, received a 79-year prison sentence following charges related to the ‘Abzas Media’ case. In a separate development, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office issued an international arrest warrant for Turkish journalist Celal Çiftçi. He was charged with ‘calling for the overthrow of the Azerbaijani government by coup’ and ‘inciting religious extremism’ after posting an AI-generated image criticizing President Ilham Aliyev. Although Çiftçi issued a public apology, the legal action coincides with broader tensions regarding new school regulations in Azerbaijan that critics interpret as a ban on religious attire. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-17: Azerbaijan issues international warrant for Turkish journalist Azerbaijan has issued an international arrest warrant for Turkish journalist Celal Çiftçi over social media posts criticizing President Aliyev, amid rising tensions over school hijab restrictions. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azerbaijan-issues-international-warrant-for-turkish-journalist ### 2026-09-28: American media groups demand release of Azerbaijani journalists American media groups are demanding Azerbaijan release journalists Ulviya Aliashishli and Farid Mehralizada, who face charges they claim are politically motivated. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tamaz-elizbarashvili-begins-hunger-strike-in-custody --- Cite as: Journalist legal challenges in Azerbaijan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/journalist-legal-challenges-in-azerbaijan