The United States welcomes the decision of the Azerbaijani Supreme Court to release investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova on a suspended sentence, deputy spokesperson for the U.S. State Department mark Toner said in a statement.

“We view this as a positive step, and we encourage the Azerbaijani government to drop the remaining charges against her.

As Azerbaijan continues to expand freedom of expression and space for civic and political participation, this will only continue to strengthen the country of Azerbaijan and our bilateral relationship,” the statement reads.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday handed down a ruling of conditional early release for Ismayilova.