Abzas Media Updates
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.
June updates:
On June 20, court sentenced all of the journalists as well as the economist Farid Mehralizade. Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinc Vagifgizi, Hafiz Babali and Farid Mehrmalizade were sentenced to nine years. Nargiz Absalamova, Elnara Gasimova were sentenced to eight years. Mahammad Kekalov was sentenced to 7.5 years. All journalists delivered their final statements holding the government to account even in their speeches prior to being sent to prison.
On June 10, the defense lawyers representing Abzas Media journalists delivered their final defense statements.
They strongly asserted that all charges are fabricated. A key point highlighted was the reliance on testimony from co-accused Mahammad Kekalov, who has since recanted his court statements, claiming they were extracted under duress. The defense also questioned how Ulvi Hasanli was arrested before Kekalov, implying a flawed investigative timeline.
Furthermore, lawyers pointed out inconsistencies in the smuggling charges, noting that no illegal property was found on the journalists at the border or in their homes. They dismissed charges of illegal entrepreneurship and legal property legalization as absurd, suggesting the investigation itself fabricated evidence. They also highlighted that neither Hafiz Babali nor Elnara Gasimova left the country during the alleged period of the crime (2020-2023).
Despite their requests for a transparent investigation being denied, the lawyers, while expressing little expectation of a fair verdict, urged the court to acquit their clients. Following the defense presentations, Judge Sadikhov offered the defendants their final say. Most opted to speak at the next trial, with only Hafiz Babali delivering his statement during this session. The trial was adjourned, with the next hearing scheduled for June 20.
On June 26, journalists Ulvi Hasanli, Mammad Kekalov, Hafiz Babali, Farid Mehralizade and scholar Bahruz Samadov were transferred from the Baku Pretrial Detention Center to Umbaki prison, a decision in violation of a prior court decision that the journalists and Samadov would remain at the pre-trial detention facility until their verdicts became final.
July updates:
Several Abzas Media journalists, including Nargiz Absalamova, Elnara Gasimova, and Sevinj Vagifgizi and Ulvi Hasanli were on hunger strike in July. The women journalists joined Hasanli in an act of solidarity when Hasanli decided to start the strike on July 2nd, in protest of inhumane treatment and torture at Baku Investigative Detention Center No. 1. Journalists faced various restrictions including cutting off of phone calls wıth families, placements in solitary confinement, and confiscating of their belongs.
On July 4, Meydan TV journalists Aynur Elgunesh, Aytaj Tapdiq, Khayala Agayeva, and Aysel Umudova and Fatima Movlamli, arrested in connection with the “Meydan TV case,” all joined the hunger strike in support of their colleagues and Abzas Media. While by July 28 Absalamova, Vagifgizi, and Gasimova announced their were stopping the strike, Hasanli continues his hunger strike reportedly already visible signs on his health.
August updates:
On August 12, a preparatory hearing in the “Abzas Media” case was held at the Baku Court of Appeals.
The session, chaired by Judge Zafar Ahmadov, involved issues of violence against female staff of the publication, and motions submitted by the defense were not granted.
During the hearing, lawyers requested that the detained defendants—Ulvi Hesenli, Mohammad Kekalov, Hafiz Babali, and Farid Mehralizade—be transferred from the Umbaki Penitentiary to the Baku Investigation Detention Center. The judge rejected this request.
Defense attorneys also requested that male and female journalists be seated together, or that female journalists be seated with their lawyers. They noted that during the first-instance trial, all defendants in the “Abzas Media case” had been seated together with their lawyers in the courtroom. This request was also denied.
Sevinc Vagifqizi, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnare Gasimova were kept behind a glass partition at a distant corner of the courtroom. Because the microphones were not working, they could not hear what the lawyers were saying and protested.
“Why have you brought us here? You’ve created a show for yourselves. We can hear nothing. We are straining to hear the judge,” said Vagifqizi, Absalamova, and Gasimova, who began banging on the glass in protest and demanding a response.
The judge then claimed they were “creating disorder” and demanded that they be removed from the courtroom. In response, Sevinc Vagifqizi told the judge: “You can do nothing to us. None of what you say has any authority. You are a servant of Ilham Aliyev.”
All defendants in the case stated that if hearings continue in this manner, they would refuse to participate.
When the female journalists were removed from the courtroom, Penitentiary Service officers used force against them, pushing them out.
The campaign highlights the inhumane prison conditions of journalist Sevinj Vagifgizi, editor-in-chief of Abzas Media and former RSF Berlin fellow, who has been denied a simple electric fan despite the extreme heat inside Baku Pretrial Detention Center. RSF and Free Voices Collective, Meydan TV, Toplum TV & Qazetci have signed a letter of solidarity and are calling on the public to participate in the campaign by writing letters of solidarity to Sevinj and her fellow imprisoned colleagues. Letters of support can be submitted here.
Mahammad Kekalov, arrested in connection with the “Abzas Media case,” has been denied the right to contact his lawyer by phone while held at the Umbaki Penitentiary Complex. Prison staff reportedly confiscated his phone and told him he could only call his lawyer with the warden’s permission.
Kekalov was sentenced on June 20, 2025, to 7 years and 6 months in prison, facing eight charges including smuggling and financial crimes. Other defendants in the case, including journalists and media staff, received sentences ranging from 8 to 9 years. All accused reject the charges, claiming their arrests are politically motivated due to anti-corruption investigations.
Ulvi Hasanli, imprisoned director of Abzas Media, has been shortlisted for the 2025 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. The selection was announced in Prague during a meeting chaired by Theodoros Rousopoulos, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
In June 2025, Həsənli was sentenced to nine years in prison on politically motivated charges.
The winner of this year’s Václav Havel Prize will be announced on September 29 at the opening of PACE’s autumn plenary session in Strasbourg.