Caspian Wire: Arrests, Trials, and Awards Amidst Growing Repression | December 2024
Crackdown on Meydan TV Journalists
Authorities’ repression of independent media reached a new low with the arrest of 6 Meydan TV journalists — Aynur Elgunash, Natig Javadli, Aytaj Tapdig, Aysel Umudova, Ramin Jabrailzada, Khayala Agayeva, and Deputy Director of Baku School of Journalism Ulvi Tahirov on December 6. All journalists and Tahirov are facing alleged currency smuggling charges, a criminal offense viewed as politically motivated. Editor-in-chief Aynur Elgunash and others reported ill-treatment, including physical violence during detention. The U.S. and European institutions condemned the crackdown, calling it an attack on free press and human rights. Freelance journalist Ahmad Mukhtar was also detained in connection with the case and sentenced to 30-day administrative detention on December 8 on hooliganism and disobeying police charges.
On 19 December, the European Parliament adopted a resolution, citing the arrest of Meydan TV employees and others as an ongoing repression against civil society in Azerbaijan and calling on European institutions to sanction high-ranking officials in Azerbaijan.
U.S. State Department Awards Azerbaijani Activists
Human rights defender Rufat Safarov was awarded the 2024 Human Rights Defender Award, and journalist Sevinj Vagifgizi was honored as Champion of Global Anti-Corruption by the U.S. State Department for their work. Safarov, arrested hours after visiting the U.S. Embassy, faces politically motivated charges. Vagifgizi, detained with six Abzas Media colleagues on smuggling charges, dedicated her award to investigative journalists.
Opposition Leader Azer Gasimli Arrested
Azer Gasimli, an opposition politician and the director of the Institute of Political Management in Azerbaijan, was arrested and placed in four months of pretrial detention on December 8, 2024. Gasimli is facing extortion charges. If convicted, Gasimli will be sentenced to up to ten years. International organisations have condemned his detention, linking it to Azerbaijan’s increasing crackdown on dissent.
Abzas Media Trial Begins
The trial of Abzas Media staff commenced on December 17. All defendants continue to reject bogus smuggling charges. Human rights groups have called the prosecution a politically motivated attack on independent journalism. Proceedings were marked by restricted public access and rejected defense motions. The accused 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 who are held in pre-trial detention for over a year. The following “Abzas Media case” trial was held on December 28. Sevinj Vagifqizi, editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, demanded in her speech the head of the Customs Committee to answer her question: “If so much smuggling has occurred, why was the Customs Committee not aware of it?”
Update on Political Prisoners
- On December 10, Ilhamiz Guliyev was sentenced to three years on drug charges, reported mistreatment and harsh prison conditions.
- On December 23, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev’s court hearings continued. He is facing extended pretrial detention amid fabricated charges; rights groups demand a fair trial.
- On December 27, the pre-trial detention period of Akif Gurbanov, chairporson of the III Republic Platform; Ruslan Izzetli, founding member; Alasgar Mammadli, co-founder of Toplum TV, Mushfig Jabbar, video editor; Ali Zeynal, Ilkin Amrahov, and Ramil Babayev, employees of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives arrested in the “Toplum TV case” was extended for the third time.
- On December 28, Teymur Karimov, the director of Kanal 11, was sentenced to eight years on bogus extortion charges, widely seen as a retaliation for his journalism.
Opposition Leader Fined for Defamation
On December 2, Ali Karimli, leader of the Popular Front Party, was fined 1,500 AZN over alleged defamation charges. Karimli denounced the ruling as politically motivated, aligning it with broader efforts to suppress dissent. The U.S. State Department was among the first to condemn the proceedings.
As we close this challenging year, Free Voices Collective remains inspired by the courage of journalists, activists, and civil society in the face of ongoing repression. Their resilience is our hope for a brighter, freer future in Azerbaijan.
Wishing you a New Year filled with strength and solidarity to uphold truth and justice.
Happy New Year from Caspian Wire!