Crackdown on Independent Media in Azerbaijan: Trials and Detentions Continue

Published: April 3, 2025

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The Azerbaijani authorities continue to target independent media, with multiple journalists and civil society activists facing criminal charges. Ongoing court hearings in the "Toplum TV" and "Meydan TV" cases have resulted in extended detentions and allegations of mistreatment. Many of the accused claim that their arrests are politically motivated and aimed at silencing independent journalism in the country.

Trial Begins in the "Toplum TV Case"

On April 2, 2025, the first preparatory hearing in the "Toplum TV" case was held at the Baku Serious Crimes Court under Judge Azər Tağıyev. The court reviewed several motions, including a request by defense lawyers to place the detained individuals under house arrest, which was denied. A motion related to the health condition of Ələsgər Məmmədli was submitted, with the court stating it would be considered at a later stage.

Akif Qurbanov, the head of the Democratic Initiatives Institute and a spokesperson for the III Republic Platform, requested that all other defendants be released while he alone remained in custody. His newly appointed lawyer, Fuad Ağayev, requested additional time to familiarize himself with the case materials. The next hearing was postponed until April 24.

Background of the "Toplum TV Case"

Founded nine years ago, "Toplum TV" has been a leading independent media outlet in Azerbaijan. On March 6, 2024, law enforcement agencies raided and sealed the organization's office, along with the Democratic Initiatives Institute and the III Republic Platform.

Nine individuals have been charged in the case, including:

• Ələsgər Məmmədli, co-founder of "Toplum TV"

• Akif Qurbanov, head of the Democratic Initiatives Institute

• Journalists Müşfiq Cabbar, Fərid İsmayılov, and Elmir Abbasov

• Ruslan İzzətli, a founding member of the III Republic Platform

• Employees of the Democratic Initiatives Institute: Əli Zeynal, Ramil Babayev, and İlkin Əmrahov

Initially charged with smuggling, the accusations were later escalated to include money laundering, tax evasion, and illegal entrepreneurship. The defendants claim these charges are politically motivated and aimed at silencing independent journalism.

Detention Period Extended for "Meydan TV" Journalists

On April 2, 2025, the Khatai District Court extended the pretrial detention of journalists Aynur Elgünəş (Qənbərova), Aytac Tapdıq (Əhmədova), and Natiq Cavadlı by three months in connection with the "Meydan TV" case.

During the hearing, the journalists complained of mistreatment, stating that they were kept hungry and thirsty for hours before their trial, with their handcuffs left on. Cavadlı called this treatment "torture" and requested an investigation. The court, however, extended their detention until early July, citing concerns that they might interfere with the investigation if released.

Background of the "Meydan TV Case"

Several journalists from "Meydan TV" were arrested on December 6, 2024, and charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group acting in conspiracy). Those arrested included:

• Ramin Deko (Cəbrayılzadə), Aynur Elgünəş (Qənbərova), Aysel Umudova, Aytac Əhmədova (Tapdıq), Xəyalə Ağayeva, and Natiq Cavadlı

• Civil society activist Ülvi Tahirov

• Later arrests included journalist Şəmşad Ağayev (Ağa), Nurlan Libre (Qəhrəmanlı), and Fatimə Mövlamlı

The homes of the detained journalists were searched, and their personal belongings, including phones and computers, were confiscated.

Crackdown on Independent Media

Since November 2023, nearly 30 journalists have been arrested in Azerbaijan, most of them charged with smuggling. Many are affiliated with "Meydan TV," "AbzasMedia," and "Toplum TV."

The journalists and civil society activists insist that their arrests are politically motivated, linking them to their investigative reporting on government corruption. International human rights organizations have condemned the crackdown and called for the immediate release of the detainees. Azerbaijani officials, however, deny the existence of politically motivated arrests in the country.

As trials continue, the pressure on independent media in Azerbaijan remains high, with many fearing that the ongoing arrests mark a systematic effort to silence dissenting voices.