Ramin Deko’s Appeal Rejected

Court upholds extension of journalist’s pretrial detention in “Meydan TV Case”

On July 9, the Baku Court of Appeal dismissed the complaint filed by journalist Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade) against the extension of his pretrial detention. The hearing was presided over by Judge Ali Mammadov.

Ramin Deko is among several journalists arrested in connection with the so-called “Meydan TV Case.” On June 24, the pretrial detention periods for 11 journalists and a civil society representative were extended by three months. The list includes:

• Aynur Elgunes (Gambarova)
• Aytaj Tapdig (Ahmadova)
• Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade)
• Aysel Umudova
• Khayala Agayeva
• Natig Javadli
• Shamshad Agha (Agayev) – editor-in-chief of Arqument.az and Meydan TV collaborator
• Fatima Movlamli
• Ulviya Ali (Guliyeva)
• Nurlan Libre (Gahramanov)
• Ulvi Tahirov, a civil society activist not affiliated with Meydan TV

All have filed appeals against the extension decisions, but none have been successful.

The journalists were initially detained on December 6, 2024, and charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group in prior collusion). Ulvi Tahirov was detained the same day, although he has no direct link to Meydan TV.

Subsequent arrests include:

• Shamshad Agayev (February 5, 2025)
• Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) (February 20, 2025)
• Fatima Movlamli (February 28, 2025)
• Ulviya Ali (Guliyeva) (May 7, 2025)

All detained journalists deny the charges and state that they are being punished for their critical reporting.

Currently, around 30 journalists and civic activists remain behind bars under similar allegations. They insist the charges are politically motivated and directly related to their professional activities.

Government officials, however, deny the existence of politically motivated arrests. Meanwhile, international human rights organizations and Western officials continue to urge the Azerbaijani government to release those detained on unfair grounds.