The International Press Institute (IPI) today called on authorities in Azerbaijan to release investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova while they investigate allegations that she incited a former colleague to attempt suicide.

A Baku court on Friday ordered Ismayilova detained for two months pending trial, reportedly based on the accusations of a man who said she spread embarrassing information about him and caused him to lose his job, leading him to drink rat poison.

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) reported that Tural Mustafayev, a former reporter with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Meydan TV, told local media that Ismayilova became jealous of the attention he showed another woman after the two had a falling out in March.

Mustafayev did not specify what Ismayilova – herself a reporter with RFE/RL – allegedly said about him. But he accused her of blocking his re-hiring by the two broadcasters and claimed that his former association with them meant that no other media outlets in Azerbaijan would hire him. Both broadcasters have said that Ismayilova played no role in Mustafayev’s departure.

Ismayilova said yesterday that the charge against her was fabricated. She reportedly stands charged with violating a criminal code provision that prohibits causing someone to attempt suicide via threats, cruel treatment or regular humiliation of that person’s dignity. The provision carries a potential prison term of three to seven years behind bars.

Azerbaijan’s authorities have rejected criticism by numerous international observers, who have argued that the charge is politically motivated and that it comes amid a wider crackdown on dissent in the country.

Ismayilova’s supporters note that she currently faces two other legal cases, and that a member of the president’s staff last week issued a 60-page statement condemning Ismayilova’s “destructive attitude”. They argue that the government is pressuring her in response to her reporting, which has included investigations into alleged corruption and human rights abuses, as well as the business dealings of Azerbaijan’s presidential family.

IPI today said that the circumstances of the case and the numerous voices raised in protest gave rise to serious concerns. It called on authorities to act transparently and to share any evidence in the case with the public. It also called on authorities to release Ismayilova while the investigation is ongoing.

“Absent clear and compelling evidence that Ms. Ismayilova presents some type of imminent danger to society that would justify her imprisonment while these allegations are reviewed, there is no reason for her to be behind bars and she should be released immediately,” IPI Senior Press Freedom Adviser Steven M. Ellis said. “And unless authorities can point to strong evidence showing that she actively encouraged Mr. Mustafayev to take such an extreme action or had reason to believe her actions might lead directly to that result, this case should be dropped.”