UNESCO Director-General deplores death of Azerbaijani journalists

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has condemned the deaths of Azerbaijani journalists Siraj Abishov and Maharram Ibrahimov on 4 June in Kalbajar district, Azerbaijan, Report informs, citing UNESCO's official website.

"I am shocked by the tragic deaths of Siraj Abishov and Maharram Ibrahimov. Journalists must be able to exercise their profession without risk to their personal safety," Audrey Azoulay said.

The two media professionals were on duty, travelling in a vehicle when an anti-tank mine exploded. The explosion killed Abishov and Ibrahimov as well as Arif Aliyev, a local district official. At least four other persons were injured in the blast.

Siraj Abishov was a camera operator working for Azerbaijan Television, and Maharram Ibrahimov was a journalist working for the Azerbaijan State News Agency.