On 20 June 2025, the Baku Serious Crimes Court handed down prison sentences ranging from seven to nine years to seven journalists in the so-called “Abzas Media case.” The ruling is widely condemned by media watchdogs, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), as a blatant attack on independent journalism in Azerbaijan. Among those sentenced are Sevinj […]
“He tried to hang himself; a fellow inmate saved him at the last moment” Bahruz Samedov, a peace activist currently in detention, attempted suicide in protest after the state prosecutor requested a 16-year prison sentence for him during a court hearing on June 20. His grandmother, Zibeyda Osmanova, told Meydan TV: “I visited Bahruz at
Detained Activist Attempts Suicide in Protest Against 16-Year Sentence Request Read More »
The final court hearing in the so-called “Abzas Media case” has concluded. On June 20, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes announced the verdicts against the accused journalists. According to the court’s decision, Abzas Media director Ülvi Həsənli, editor-in-chief Sevinc Vaqifqızı, investigative journalist Hafiz Babalı, and Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty journalist and economist
Sentencing of Abzas Media Journalists Read More »
International human rights organizations have once again called for the release of journalists detained in the “Abzas Media case” as the next court session is set to take place today, 20 June. On 20 May, the state prosecutor requested a total of 80 years of imprisonment for the defendants in this case. In a statement
A provocation was allegedly staged against imprisoned political figure Azer Gasimli during the court hearing at the Baku Court for Serious Crimes on 18 June. According to his wife, Samira Gasimli, who spoke to Meydan TV, Azer Gasimli informed her of the incident on 19 June: “On the night of 17 June, Azer was told
Samira Gasimli: “A provocation was staged against Azer Gasimli during the trial” Read More »
Lawyer says she has appealed to the Ombudsman regarding his detention conditions Elvin Mustafayev, a member of the “Workers’ Desk” Trade Union Confederation, who is currently being held in a punishment cell (known as solitary confinement or disciplinary cell) at Penitentiary Institution No. 6, is experiencing health problems. His lawyer, Zibeyda Sadigova, told Meydan TV
Health of “Workers’ Desk” Activist Deteriorates in Solitary Confinement Read More »
“None of the defendants was caught crossing the customs border with a prohibited amount of money” On June 10, during a hearing in the Baku Court of Serious Crimes, the lawyer of detained journalist Elnara Gasimova, Bahruz Bayramov, delivered his defense statement in the so-called “Abzas Media case.” Presided over by Judge Rasim Sadikhov, the
Lawyer of Journalist Elnara Gasimova: “We Know There Will Be No Fair Verdict” Read More »
Economist Fazil Gasimov, who was sentenced to nine years in prison by the Baku Court of Serious Crimes on March 13, 2025, reportedly began a hunger strike on May 10 while being held in the Umbaki Penitentiary Complex. According to available information, Gasimov launched the strike in protest against violations of his rights within the
This article is presented to readers in abridged form. On June 10, during the ongoing trial of the “Abzas Media case” at the Baku Serious Crimes Court presided over by Judge Rasim Sadikhov, the defense attorneys delivered their final statements. Lawyer Rovshana Rahimli, representing journalist Nargiz Absalamova, argued that her client was arrested based on
By Tofiq Yaqublu. This is an author’s piece, presented to readers in abridged form. Tofiq Yaqublu, a detained member of the National Council and Musavat Party, writes that his most recent arrest was directly linked to his critical views on the Azerbaijani government’s handling of peace talks with Armenia and broader regional geopolitics. He stresses
Failed Policy, Absurd Propaganda: The Reason for My Last Arrest Read More »
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