The government of oil-rich Azerbaijan will launch its own national Internet service, according to reports.

Following international outcry over the arrests of two journalists in Azerbaijan last week, President Aliyev's advisor Ali Hasanov claimed that the journalists were arrested due to lack of accreditation.

TeliaSonera, the Swedish telecoms giant which has been linked by investigations to alleged multi-million dollar corruption in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, has announced that it is leaving the Eurasian market.

The European Parliament (EP) has adopted a resolution calling for the release of prisoners in Azerbaijan, among other anti-corruption and pro-democracy measures.

Khadija IsmayilovaInternational organizations and government officials have roundly condemned the jailing of Azerbaijani investigative reporter Khadija Ismayilova, who was sentenced today to seven years and six months in prison.

Khadija Ismayilova, who is known for her investigative reporting on corruption in Azerbaijan, was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison today by the Azerbaijani authorities.

Friends and family of President Ilham Aliyev make free use of two luxury yachts worth US$ 59 million that are owned by the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), the organization charged with managing the country’s oil wealth for its citizens.

In a statement prepared for the final day of her trial, journalist Khadija Ismayilova began a spirited take-down of the Azerbaijani authorities that have detained her since December, calling them a “repression machine” which would soon collapse.

Khadija IsmayilovaThe following text is from Khadija Ismayilova's statement given today to Azerbaijan's Court of Grave Crimes in Baku.

Lawyers for investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova asked for her acquittal at a hearing in Baku today, Azadliq Radio reports. 

The prosecutor in the case of investigative reporter Khadija Ismayilova has asked the judge to sentence her to nine years in prison, Azadliq Radio reports. 

The testimony portion of investigative reporter Khadija Ismayilova’s trial concluded today in Baku, Radio Azadliq reports. 

Supporters of imprisoned investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova protested against Ismayilova’s detention as her trial continued today.  

The state prosecutor in the case of investigative reporter Khadija Ismayilova today accused her of deliberately delaying the trial, Trend news agency reports. 

Investigative reporter Khadija Ismayilova claimed at a court hearing today that court records in her case are being “falsified”, Trend news agency reports.

Two of investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova’s former colleagues, Ulkar Guliyeva and Farid Abdullayev, gave testimony her trial today, according to Trend. 

Courts were busy today with two cases lodged against investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova, although she was only able to attend one set of proceedings.

As Azerbaijani journalist Khadija Ismayilova stood trial in Baku today, she was simultaneously announced a winner of a prestigious activism prize in New York.

It’s hard to steal billions and cover your tracks.

In Azerbaijan, a small coterie has done its best, registering businesses in relatives’ names and scattering assets among dozens of offshore companies.

Azerbaijani journalist Rasim Aliyev died yesterday in a Baku hospital after being severely beaten by a group of attackers on Saturday.