| SKUP | Stiftelsen for en Kritisk og Undersøkende Presse | | Postboks 8745, 0028 Oslo | www.skup.no| | Telefon: 22053973|(m) 930 939 41 | E-post: jens.heftoy@skup.no|

Stiftelsen SKUP Postboks 8745

0028 Oslo jens.heftoy@skup.no

Oslo, December 9th 2014

Dr Adish Mammadov, Ambassador

Embassy of Azerbaijan Sweden

Dear Mr. Mammadov We represent the Norwegian Foundation for Investigative Journalism, SKUP. SKUP is a founding member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network. We are dismayed to learn of the arrest and detention of journalist Khadija Ismayilova. The charges against her appear without merit and are not deserving of a professional prosecutor's office. Nor do they reflect well on the Azerbaijan government's professed support of a free press. We ask for her immediate release. Our members will be monitoring closely what happens regarding Ms. Ismayilova's treatment and prosecution. You can be assured that we will be bringing scrutiny of the Azerbaijan government to the global stage.

Most sincerely,

Oslo 9/12-2014

Jan Gunnar Furuly Chairman

Daniel Butenschøn Maren Sæbø John Bones

Deputy chairman Board member Board member

Ina Gundersen Ola Haram Yohan Shanmugaratnam Camilla Bjørn Board member Board member Board member Board member

Marianne Tønset Silje Sjursen Skiphamn Espen Sandli Fredrik Solvang Board member Board member Board member Board member

Jens Christian Nørve Anne Skalleberg Gjerde Helene Skjeggestad Board member Board member Board member

Jens Egil Heftøy

Director