Abzas Media Trials
The trial of the Abzas Media case officially commenced on December 17, 2024. The journalists are facing smuggling and other serious economic crimes charges, including illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, and tax evasion, which they unanimously continue to reject. The journalists on trial include Abzas Media’s director, Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifqizi, deputy director Mahammad Kekalov, journalists Nargiz Absalamova, Elnara Gasimova, Hafiz Babali and Radio Liberty employee Farid Mehralizada. All six have been in pretrial detention since November 2023.
The hearing occurred at the Baku Court on Grave Crimes and was marked by significant controversies. While at first, journalists and family members were denied entry into the courtroom, allegedly due to space restrictions, after objections, the court cleared the room to ensure those directly connected to the trial were present in the courtroom.
During the hearing, Sevinj Vagifqizi objected to the presence of Judges Rasim Sadikhov and Novruz Karimov, citing their prior involvement in politically motivated arrests, particularly in the case of ex-political prisoner human rights lawyer Intigam Aliyev. Despite these objections, the judges declined to recuse themselves. While the defendants’ request to be removed from the glass cage and sit with their lawyers was granted, the court rejected most motions, including requests to dismiss the charges and release the defendants under house arrest without providing sufficient justification.
The next substantive hearing in Abzas Media case was held on December 28. Sevinj Abbasova (Vagifqizi), the editor-in-chief of “Abzas Media,” who was arrested in November 2023, said during the hearing in her statement, that if so much smuggling had occurred, “why was the Customs Committee not aware of it?” Farid Mehralizadeh, a Radio Liberty correspondent arrested in connection with the Abzas Media case, accused the court of illegally concealing the case and violating the Criminal Procedure Code. He accused the prosecutor of lying: “Yes, you are a lying prosecutor. If you were Buratino (a Russian literary character based on Pinocchio, whose nose grows longer when he lies), your nose would reach the wall.”
January updates:
On January 21, the next court hearing in the “Abzas Media case“ was held at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. Lawyers and journalists accused in the case protested against the insufficient number of people allowed into the courtroom and filed a motion.
The trial continued with the testimony of the Abzas Media director, Ulvi Hasanli. He stated that “Abzas Media” not only investigates corruption cases at the highest levels of government but also highlights societal issues and violations of citizens’ rights in Azerbaijan. Thus, this has provoked the anger of the authorities.
“Everything that contradicts the principles of journalism is considered journalism in a dictatorship. That is why we are currently in prison,” Ulvi Hasanli noted in his testimony.
The next court hearing is scheduled for February 11.
February updates:
The journalists on trial have by now refused to attend two hearings— on February 11, and February 19— on the grounds their complaints of physical violence and ill-treatment they have faced at the Baku Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 1 have not been investigated and inhumane conditions at the detention center. The journalists said the latter was negatively impacting their health.
Separately, economist Farid Mehralizadeh and frequent Radio Liberty contributor said he was brought to court by force. Mehralizadeh is tried together with Abzas Media journalists.
March updates:
On March 4, Abzas Media journalists once again refused to attend, in person, the hearing, on the grounds that their previous complaints of physical violence and ill-treatment they faced at the Baku Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 1 were left unaddressed and not investigated.
This was the third time the journalist refused to attend the hearing in person The journalists resumed their participation on March 11 where several of them testified. The next Abzas Media hearing is scheduled for April 1.
April updates:
On April 1, another trial in the “Abzas Media case” was held at the Baku Grave Crimes Court. The defendants, Nargiz Absalamova, Mahammad Kekalov, and Hafiz Babali, gave their testimonies.
Mahammad Kekalov denied all the accusations of the investigative body in his testimony. He said his statements during the preliminary investigation were given under duress and therefore were untrue.
On April 8, Farid Mehralizada, an economist and journalist for Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), who was arrested as part of the “Abzas Media case,” gave a statement in court, asserting that he is being punished for his critical economic analyses published by Azadlıq Radio. He rejected smuggling charges as baseless, emphasising that his arrest is politically motivated due to his criticism of Azerbaijan’s socio-economic policies and independent statistical reporting. Mehralizada noted that authorities have provided no credible evidence of a crime they allege he committed.
On April 22, during a hearing of the “Abzas Media case” at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, multiple witnesses testified that they had not received money from the defendants nor witnessed any illegal activities. Evidence was also submitted confirming journalist Hafiz Babali’s formal employment with Turan News Agency, contradicting claims made during the investigation. A witness retracted earlier statements, admitting to false testimony.
At the April 29 court hearing in the “Abzas Media” case, editor-in-chief Sevinc Vagifgizi expressed solidarity with opposition figure and Musavat Party member Tofig Yagublu, who has been on hunger strike for 30 days in protest of his imprisonment.
May updates:
On May 20, the state prosecutor requested 12-year prison sentences for Ulvi Hasanli, Hafiz Babali, and Farid Mehralizada. And 11-year sentences for Sevinj Vagifgizi, Mahammad Kekalov, Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova. In addition to lengthy prison sentences, the State Tax Service has requested the court approve a civil lawsuit demanding 64,000 manats in compensation. Additionally, the prosecutor has recommended seizing a Kia vehicle belonging to F. Mehralizada, along with 40,000 euros reportedly found in the ‘AbzasMedia’ office and over 20,000 manats across various bank accounts. Defense lawyers have until June 10 to deliver their closing statements, when the trial is set to resume.
The trial of the Abzas Media case officially commenced on December 17, 2024. The journalists were accused of smuggling and other serious economic crimes, including illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, and tax evasion. All journalists rejected committing these alleged crimes.