Azerbaijan’s Tax Authority Demands AZN 79,000 from “Toplum TV” Defendants

Defendants say they are being criminalized for civic engagement, not crimes

The latest hearing in the high-profile “Toplum TV case” was held at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, presided over by Judge Elnur Nuriyev.

During the trial, defendant and journalist Farid Ismayilov filed a motion for the judge’s recusal, citing his past rulings in politically motivated cases. The request was denied.

Tax fines and denied access to documents

Elshad Mammadli, co-founder of Toplum TV, revealed that after his arrest in March 2024, the Ministry of Taxes demanded he declare his income and imposed a fine. Despite multiple requests, Mammadli says he was not granted access to the documents needed for notarial transactions.

The court accepted his motion to forward the issue to the Tax Ministry. Mammadli emphasized the absurdity of being accused of committing crimes for material gain, despite voluntarily teaching at Baku State University without compensation.

“They call us an organized criminal group supposedly operating since 2014, but one of the defendants, Ilkin Emrahov, was only 12 years old at that time. How could he be part of a criminal group?” he asked. “Their only crime is following intellectuals like us and standing for truth.”

He also noted that he underwent a medical examination 10 days ago but still hasn’t received the official report.

“Our only crime is demanding a democratic state”

III Republic Platform co-founder Ruslan Izzətli rejected the charges, stating:
“Our only crime is opposing 30 years of authoritarian rule, demanding rule of law, parliamentary governance, a transparent and accountable state, and dignity for citizens.”

IDT employee Ali Zeynal pointed out the contradiction in the regime’s actions:
“When foreign-based vloggers began using vulgar language against the authorities, Elshad Mammadli publicly opposed it and advocated for ethical discourse. But today’s authorities are proving themselves deserving of those very attacks.”

Journalist Mushfiq Jabbar criticized the lack of concrete evidence, saying:
“The investigation is over, but there’s still nothing in the case file.”

Ramil Babayev, another IDT member, said he would reveal “who the real criminals are” in his final defense.

Ilkin Emrahov stated he does not understand the accusations made against him.

Farid Ismayilov also rejected the charges.

Tax Ministry demands large fine

The Ministry of Taxes, listed as a civil claimant in the trial, demanded that the defendants collectively pay AZN 79,000 to the state budget. Defense lawyers Rasul Jafarov and Fakhreddin Mehdiyev, as well as defendant Ramil Babayev, protested the claim.

Babayev questioned why individuals who worked for Toplum TV or IDT at different times are all being held financially liable for the same amount—an indication, he said, of the political nature of the case.

Next hearing is scheduled for July 7.

Ten individuals have been charged in connection with the Toplum TV case, including co-founder Elshad Mammadli; journalists Mushfiq Jabbar, Farid Ismayilov; III Republic Platform spokesperson Akif Gurbanov; its founding member Ruslan Izzətli; and IDT employees Ali Zeynal, Ramil Babayev, and Ilkin Emrahov — all of whom remain in pretrial detention.

Journalist Elmir Abbasov has been placed under police supervision, while Şahnaz Beylerqizi is under house arrest.

Initially charged with smuggling, the allegations were later escalated to more serious offenses. All defendants reject the accusations and claim they are politically motivated.

Following the arrests, Toplum TV suspended its domestic operations and has been functioning via journalists based abroad since February 2024.