This week in Azerbaijan saw Avaz Zeynalli’s release from prison due to severe health concerns, the latest developments in the “Toplum TV” case and the ongoing trial of Bahruz Samadov, who faces treason charges.
Avaz Zeynalli released from prison due to illness
Avaz Zeynalli, the head of “Xural TV”, has been released from prison early due to his severe health condition. The Nizami District Court made the decision following an online hearing, confirming that Zeynalli’s illness warranted his release. His wife, Malahat Zeynalli, confirmed the news. Earlier, the court had ordered a medical assessment to verify the severity of Zeynalli’s illness, which resulted in the decision that he needed specialized treatment outside of prison.
Zeynalli had been in prison since September 2022 on charges including bribery, fraud, and influencing a government official, but he maintains his innocence. In February 2024, he was sentenced to nine years, though his sentence was later reduced by two months on appeal. Recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, doctors stated that his condition requires treatment that cannot be provided in prison. His early release comes as a result of these health concerns, and he is expected to receive medical care outside the prison system.
The ‘Toplum TV Case’ hearing was held on April 24
The “Toplum TV case” involves the detention of several journalists and activists, primarily from Toplum TV, accused of smuggling and other crimes. On April 24, 2025, a hearing at the Baku Heavy Criminal Court saw the defendants request either the dismissal of charges or house arrest.
One of the co-founders of Toplum TV, Alasgar Mammadli, denied the accusations and expressed hope for a release. Akif Gurbanov, a key figure in the case, criticized the government and President Ilham Aliyev for labeling the defendants as smugglers without evidence, violating the principle of presumption of innocence. Some defendants also called for President Aliyev to testify in court, highlighting the political nature of their arrests, which followed government accusations.
The case originates from the March 2024 raids on the offices of Toplum TV, the Democratic Initiatives Institute, and the Third Republic Platform, during which several employees were charged with smuggling. The charges are seen as part of a broader political crackdown on independent media in Azerbaijan.
Since November 2023, nearly 30 journalists have been detained, many from media outlets like Meydan TV, AbzasMedia, and Toplum TV. Due to increasing pressure and the inability to operate freely in the country, Toplum TV has decided to continue its work abroad. The journalists involved in the case argue that their arrests are politically motivated, as they were investigating corruption and illegal activities.
Bahruz Samadov denies treason charges
Bahruz Samadov, a PhD student at Charles University in the Czech Republic, is facing charges of treason for allegedly collaborating with Armenian intelligence agencies. During his trial at the Baku Heavy Criminal Court on April 21, 2025, Samadov denied the accusations, asserting that there was no evidence to support the claim. He emphasized that, despite being accused of collaborating with Armenian intelligence, he had no access to any state secrets or classified information, making the charges absurd. Samadov pointed out that he had not lived in Azerbaijan for the past six years, nor had he worked for any government agency, thus making it impossible for him to share state secrets with anyone.
Samadov, who has been a vocal advocate for peace and has consistently spoken out against war, argued that the charges against him were politically motivated. He believes the allegations are a fabricated attempt to silence him for his anti-war stance, as his speeches and articles have focused on peace.
He was arrested by the State Security Service on August 21, 2024, and has been in custody since then. His case is set to continue with witness testimonies on May 16, 2025, as he maintains his innocence and insists the charges are false.
