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IWPR Contributor Recent weeks have seen scores of activists in Azerbaijan targeted with intimate photos, videos and personal messages of them leaked on social media. This use of kompromat - faked or real content, most often involving sex or pornography – is a classic technique used by intelligence agencies to embarrass or publicly discredit opposition figures. The current wave highlights how social media tools are now being used to amplify reputational damage. While those targeted have little doubt that the government is behind this fresh campaign, the authorities have vigorously denied such claims. This wave of social media targeting marks something new. Azerbaijan’s traditional tactics to silence dissent include short-term detentions, police questioning, fines and imprisonment on bogus charges. While these have been effective in silencing some criticism, they came at a cost of amplifying critical political messages and tarnishing the government s image abroad.

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