Journalists in Trouble is a monthly report of incidents targeting Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) journalists and their work, and developments affecting press freedom in our coverage region. Subscribe for exclusive updates.     

AZERBAIJAN: Farid Mehralizada Marks Two Years in Detention 

On May 30, RFE/RL journalist Farid Mehralizada marked two years of unjust detention in Azerbaijan. In a message from prison, Farid reflected on his separation from his family: 

“My daughter was born a few months after I was imprisoned. We have only been able to see each other during prison visits, but never for long enough. That is why we still don’t have a real photograph together. Some time ago, my friends created a photo of us together using artificial intelligence and gave it to me as a gift. When I held it, I felt the full weight of every precious memory I missed: first steps, birthdays, holidays at home.” 

TAKE ACTION: Farid’s RFE/RL colleagues sent him a video message and took part in photo actions to bring attention to his ordeal. You can join the call for Farid’s freedom by downloading the linked poster and sharing your selfie or group photo online. 

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission marked the anniversary on social media and called for Farid’s freedom. Freedom House, Freedom Now, and Reporters Without Borders joined them. RFE/RL is grateful for their support. 

Former Voice of America correspondent Ulviyya Ali also remains unjustly imprisoned by Azerbaijani authorities. She faces up to 12 years in prison over false charges. 

You can write a letter of support to Farid by following the link here, and to Ulviyya at the link here. 

IRAN: Reza Valizadeh Sends Message from Evin Prison 

In a voice recording obtained by CBS News, former RFE/RL journalist Reza Valizadeh pleaded for medical care. Highlighting the brutal conditions inside Evin Prison, Reza spoke of “physical pressure and mental torture.” He said he and other Americans held by Iran are not being properly treated for their illnesses and asked the U.S. government for help. 

Reza was imprisoned by the Iranian government in September 2024. He is serving an unjust 10-year sentence for his reporting with RFE/RL’s Persian-language service, Radio Farda.  

In a statement to CBS, RFE/RL’s President and CEO Stephen Capus said:  

“Reza has been callously separated from his family and friends for more than 20 months, by a violent and inhumane Iranian government. We are grateful that the U.S. government has declared Reza to be wrongfully detained. Reza’s former colleagues at Radio Farda and RFE/RL anxiously await the day that Reza can rejoin his loved ones and once again be free.” 

RUSSIA: Nika Novak Placed in Solitary Confinement

In late May, imprisoned RFE/RL journalist Nika Novak was placed in solitary confinement in the Siberian penal colony where she already faces limited freedoms and heightened surveillance. Since her wrongful arrest by Russian authorities in December 2023, Nika has been punished several times in isolation and solitary confinement cells. 

TAKE ACTION: June 12 marked Nika’s 900^th day of unjust detention in Russia. During this challenging time, RFE/RL encourages supporters to write to Nika by following the link here. 

ARMENIA: RFE/RL Reporter Attacked by Government Official 

While filming an election rally held by the ruling party on May 19, RFE/RL reporter Karine Simonian was attacked by the deputy mayor of the northern Armenian town of Spitak. The deputy mayor punched Simonian’s camera after she questioned why local government employees were present when Armenian law prohibits them from attending election-related events during work hours. Spitak’s mayor witnessed the incident and asked Simonian if she was there to “cause trouble.”

In Case You Missed It:

• RFE/RL’s Alsu Kurmasheva and Pavel Butorin jointly accepted the 2026 James Foley World Press Freedom Award on May 5. You can watch their speech here. 

• On May 29, a committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) denounced the suppression of free expression in Azerbaijan and adopted a report highlighting the unjust imprisonment of Farid Mehralizada and other journalists. 

My name is Nathan Shoemaker, Advocacy Officer here at RFE/RL and the author of Journalists in Trouble. Thank you for reading and subscribing to our newsletter and for standing with persecuted journalists. 

If you are interested in amplifying the stories of our imprisoned journalists, you can reach us by emailing advocacy@rferl.org.