**European Court Blocks Extradition of Azerbaijani Journalist**
A critical journalist from Azerbaijan, Afgan Sadigov, will not be extradited to his home country for now. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg made this decision on January 14.
Sadigov had fled Azerbaijan and was living in Georgia. He faced extradition after a court ruling in Tbilisi. But the ECHR said he should not be sent back until further notice. This is only a temporary measure that lasts for seven days.
The Social Justice Centre, a local watchdog group, applied to the ECHR before this decision was made. They feared Sadigov would face human rights violations if sent back to Azerbaijan.
**Journalist’s History**
Sadigov was arrested in Azerbaijan in 2020 on charges of extortion. He went on hunger strike for 242 days while in prison. International organizations like Amnesty International have called on Georgia not to extradite him.
The journalist’s family, including his wife and children, are currently living in a safe country. The Social Justice Centre hopes that the ECHR will eventually grant them long-term protection.
**Next Steps**
The ECHR has given priority to this case. The Social Justice Centre plans to ask for an extension of the temporary measure until the court makes a final decision. They also want Georgia’s Ministry of Justice and the country’s government to comply with international human rights obligations.
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