In recent years, there has been a significant flow of migrants from Azerbaijan to Europe. Among them, the number of journalists is not insignificant, and there are quite a few who have obtained permanent residency permits. However, deportation decisions are also issued for those without permanent residency. One of the journalists in exile in Europe is investigative journalist Etibar Süleymanlı.

Until 2015-2020, Etibar Süleymanlı worked independently as a journalist and former correspondent for Mediaxəbər.az, but three years ago, he left Azerbaijan for Europe due to baseless accusations against him. The investigative journalist has been living in France since September 2021. Despite living in France for three years now, French courts have rejected his asylum claim. In this case, if the journalist is deported to Azerbaijan, what can he expect?

According to information obtained from the Binagadi district police department, if Etibar Süleymanlı returns to Azerbaijan, he faces imprisonment.

"There have been several search warrants issued against the journalist, and a criminal case has been initiated against him under Article 274 (Treason) of the Criminal Code. If journalist Etibar Süleymanlı returns to Azerbaijan, he will be immediately imprisoned," said a statement from the Binagadi police department.

Samir Qocayev, the head of the media organization where journalist Etibar Süleymanlı worked, stated: "Etibar Süleymanlı himself and his family have faced pressure and harassment several times due to the investigations he has conducted and the articles he has written. If he returns to Azerbaijan, his life will be in danger. As we know, many journalists have been imprisoned in the country recently. Many of them are also in poor health. However, without considering all this, courts have chosen to take coercive measures against them. Therefore, I appeal to the French courts to consider the danger to journalist Etibar Süleymanlı's life and make a fair decision regarding him, and not put his life at risk by deporting him to Azerbaijan."

Journalist Etibar Süleymanlı's family expressed their concern about him and his life being in danger.

"When my son was first detained, his father had a heart attack and passed away, and I am battling diabetes. They tortured my son when they arrested him, there was not a single healthy spot left on his body. He contracted Hepatitis C during his imprisonment and his lungs were damaged. Currently, his health condition is not good. When my son's life was in danger, I advised him to leave Azerbaijan. If he returns here, his life will be over. As a mother, I appeal to the French government not to make a deportation decision regarding him. I don't want to lose him," said the journalist's mother.