US deeply troubled by reports of police raid on Azeri TV station, State Dept says

The United States is deeply troubled by reports Azerbaijani police on Wednesday raided the office of a TV station, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said, calling on Azerbaijan to end the harassment of those exercising their fundamental freedoms.

Azerbaijan has detained a string of independent reporters since late last year. Several are now facing trial on charges unrelated to journalistic activity, such as smuggling.

In a statement, the ministry gave no reason for the operation at Toplum TV on Wednesday.