The defense argues that there is no legal justification for the journalist’s detention.
Today, during a hearing at the Khatai District Court, a motion was considered regarding the release of Aysel Umudova, one of the detained employees of Meydan TV, to house arrest.
The defense argues that there is no legal justification for the journalist’s detention.
The journalist’s motion was once again not granted.
On December 6, 2024, employees of Meydan TV, including Ramin Deko (Jabrailzade), Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunash), Aysel Umudova, Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig), Khayala Aghayeva, and Natig Javadli, were detained. They were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling, committed by a group of people acting in concert). A 4-month pre-trial detention was imposed on them under this charge.
Along with the Meydan TV employees, civil society member Ulvi Tahirov was also detained on the same day. He was also subject to a 4-month pre-trial detention under the same charge. Ulvi Tahirov has no affiliation with Meydan TV.
On February 5, 2025, Shamshad Aghayev (Agha), the editor-in-chief of the website “argument.az” and a journalist cooperating with Meydan TV, was detained. A detention order for 2 months and 1 day was issued for him.
On February 20, journalist Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) was detained in connection with the criminal case related to “Meydan TV.” The court decided on a pre-trial detention for 1 month and 17 days for him.
Fatima Movlamli was also detained on February 28 in connection with the “Meydan TV” related criminal case. On March 1, the Khatai District Court decided to detain the journalist for 1 month and 9 days during the investigation period.
Searches were conducted at the homes of the detained journalists, and their phones, computers, and other personal items were seized.
The detained journalists do not consider themselves guilty and have stated that they are being punished for their critical activities at Meydan TV.
Currently, around 30 journalists and civil activists are in detention on similar charges. They deny the accusations and relate them to their professional activities. Representatives of the government claim that there are no politically motivated arrests in the country.
International human rights organizations and Western officials have also called on the government to release those unjustly detained.
