The courts rejected the appeals of Aytaj Tapdig, Fatima Movlamli, and Nurlan Libre.
A hearing was held today at the Khatai District Court to review the appeal to replace the detention order of journalist Aytaj Tapdig (Ahmadova) with house arrest.
Aytaj Tapdig, Illustration: Meydan TV
The journalist’s lawyer, Javad Javadov, provided information about the case.
“Recently, there were talks in the National Assembly about freeing female journalists in detention on the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8. We were hopeful about this as well. We submitted the appeal, hoping the court might approve it. Unfortunately, we were wrong,” the lawyer explained.
The journalist attended the court proceedings in person, advocating for her appeal and denying all the charges. However, the court rejected the appeal. Javad Javadov mentioned that they would file a further appeal against the court’s decision.
On March 6, the Baku Court of Appeal also considered the appeal filed against the detention order of journalist Fatima Movlamli, who was arrested in connection with the “Meydan TV Case.”
Fatima Movlamli, Illusration : Meydan TV
The court rejected the journalist’s appeal.
On March 6, the Baku Court of Appeal also reviewed the appeal regarding the detention order of journalist Nurlan Gahramanli (Libre).
Nurlan Libre, Illustration: Meydan TV
The court also rejected his appeal.
On December 6, 2024, Meydan TV employees Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzada), Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunash), Aysel Umudova, Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig), Khayala Aghayeva, and Natig Javadli were arrested. They were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling, committed by a group of people acting in concert). A four-month detention order was issued for them during the investigation period.
Along with the Meydan TV employees, civil society member Ulvi Tahirov was also arrested on the same day. He was also placed under a four-month detention order under the same charge. Ulvi Tahirov has no connection to Meydan TV.
On February 5, 2025, Shamshad Aghayev (Agha), the editor-in-chief of “argument.az” website and a journalist cooperating with Meydan TV, was arrested. He was placed under a detention order for 2 months and 1 day.
On February 20, journalist Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) was arrested in connection with the criminal case related to “Meydan TV.” The court placed him under detention for 1 month and 17 days.
Fatimə Movlamli was also arrested on February 28 in connection with the “Meydan TV” case. The Khatai District Court decided on March 1 to detain the journalist for 1 month and 9 days during the investigation.
Searches were conducted in the homes of the arrested journalists, and their phones, computers, and other personal belongings were seized.
The arrested journalists deny the charges, stating that they are being punished for their critical activities as Meydan TV employees.
Currently, around 30 journalists and public activists are in detention on similar charges. They reject the accusations and link them to their professional activities. Government representatives assert that there are no politically motivated arrests in the country.
International human rights organizations and Western officials are also urging the government to release those unjustly detained.
