Use of spyware by authorities worries Azerbaijani activists

There is no surprise in shadowing journalists and human rights defenders, but the introduction of spyware into smartphones raises concerns, journalists and rights defenders have noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that rights defenders and journalists found out that authorities of a number of countries used the spyware designed by the Israeli "NSO Group" Company in order to shadow journalists and politicians. Among those who were wiretapped were Azerbaijani journalists Khadija Ismayilova and Sevindj Vagifgyzy.

Ms Vagifgyzy told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that she learned about this investigation back in June.

According to her story, the specified espionage activity was a severe blow to journalists' professional work. "Citizens often contacted us, providing important information, but asked not to name them. We promised to keep their confidentiality. But now it turns out that we failed to do it. Through the spyware, information about our contacts became known, as well as our location, and our video filming. That is, the state, which is obliged to protect our personal and family life, has itself violated it," Sevindj Vagifgyzy has stated.

Tezekhan Miralamli, a member of the NGO "Defence Line", has noted that he was not surprised by the publicized facts.

"Shadowing and interference in one's personal life is a common practice in authoritarian regimes," Mr Miralamli told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

At the same time, the activist believes that the use of the spyware is an interference with privacy, and a violation of the privacy of correspondence; therefore the victims can file a complaint with law enforcement bodies. "True, not a single fact of interference in the private life of critics of the authorities and their family members has been investigated in Azerbaijan. But at least the refusal to investigate will allow initiating lawsuits and ultimately appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)," Tezekhan Miralamli has concluded.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 20, 2021 at 05:12 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.