Appeals of Nurlan Libre and Khayala Agayeva Rejected

On July 2, 2025, the Baku Court of Appeal reviewed the appeals filed by journalists Nurlan Qahramanli (Libre) and Khayala Agayeva against the extension of their pre-trial detention as part of the “Meydan TV case”.

Nurlan Qahramanli’s case was presided over by Judge Emin Aliyev, and Khayala Agayeva’s case by Judge Ibrahim Ibrahimli. In both cases, the court dismissed the appeals.

Appeals filed by other detained individuals related to the “Meydan TV case” will be heard on July 3.

On June 24, the pre-trial detention of several journalists — Aynur Elgunes, Aytaj Tapdiq, Ramin Deko, Aysel Umudova, Khayala Agayeva, Natig Javadli — and other individuals, including journalist Shamshad Agha and civil society member Ulvi Tahirov, was extended by three more months.

The detained journalists deny the charges and claim they are being punished for their critical reporting. Currently, nearly 30 journalists and civil society activists in Azerbaijan are imprisoned under similar charges. International human rights organizations and Western officials have called for their immediate release.

Charges: Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group of persons in prior collusion).

Government officials deny the arrests are politically motivated.