Caspian Wire | Toplum TV journalists face 13–16 years | June 2026

June 2026 in Azerbaijan saw new sentences, new arrests, new laws, and a PACE resolution dismissed as a “piece of paper.” The number of individuals held on politically motivated charges stands at 328. Journalists are writing letters from prison, a trade union member is being threatened by prison management, an opposition leader’s defence committee warns of plans against his life. At the same time, the EU signed new partnership documents with Baku and Western energy companies concluded $7.5 billion in contracts with SOCAR.

01

Trials, Sentences, and New Arrests

Toplum TV: Prosecutors Demand 13–16 Years

Prosecutors formally requested sentences of 13 to 16 years for journalists and media workers in the Toplum TV case. The charges, fabricated financial offences including currency smuggling, are politically motivated and bear no credible relationship to the defendants’ journalistic work. In court on 22 June, Akif Qurbanov, a Democratic Initiatives Institute staff member held in the same case, addressed the judge: “It’s as if, despite Ilham Aliyev’s order, you are going to conduct a fair trial.”

Farid Ismayilov, one of the Toplum TV journalists, told the court: “I held out a microphone, not a weapon, to Hikmet Hajiyev.” Ramil Babayev wrote to the Minister of Justice to report that Javid Gulaliyev, deputy chief of the Baku pre-trial detention center, subjects detainees to torture in custody, and that “nobody can stop him.”

Rufat Safarov Sentenced to 8 Years

On 12 June, Rufat Safarov, executive director of the “Defence Line” human rights organisation, was sentenced to 8 years in prison by Baku Court of Grave Crimes on fabricated charges of bodily harm, fraud, and hooliganism. A former state prosecutor who resigned publicly in 2015, Safarov had dedicated himself to human rights work. Human Rights Watch has called for his immediate and unconditional release.

NGO Activist Sentenced to 8 Years and Afgan Sadigov Arrested

Asaf Ahmadov, civil society activist in the “NGO case,” was sentenced to 8 years in prison on spurious financial charges. On 8–9 June, Afgan Sadigov, editor-in-chief of independent online outlet “Azel TV,” was taken to Azerbaijan’s General Prosecutor’s Office and remanded in pre-trial detention until 30 July. Sadigov had previously been detained in Georgia before transfer to Azerbaijani custody.

Ali Karimli’s Detention Extended, Threats to His Life Reported

On 10 June, Baku’s Sabail District Court extended the pre-trial detention of Ali Karimli (APFP chair) and party colleague Mammad Ibrahim by a further 5 months. This was the second extension since their arrest on 29 November 2025 on charges of “actions aimed at the forcible seizure of power” (Article 278.1). His defence committee stated publicly that “there are sinister plans against Ali Karimli’s life.” His telephone contact rights remain restricted; the APFP has reported that pressure on him in detention is continuing.

New Arrests of APFP Activists; Religious Activist

On 17 June, Anar Arkivan (APFP organising committee member) was sentenced to 30 days administrative detention by Narimanov District Court. On 19 June, religious activist Samid Huseynov was detained at home. Zamin Salayev, APFP Salyan district chair held at Penitentiary Facility No. 11, was placed in a punishment cell.

02

Conditions in Detention

In May 2026, Ilgar Aliyev, affiliated with Abzas Media, died in custody. No independent investigation has been announced. At least three Meydan TV journalists are being denied urgently needed medical care — Shamshad Agha (gastric ulcer), Aynur Elgunash (needs physiotherapy post-surgery), and Ulviyya Guliyeva (requires weekly injections). Guliyeva has also reported being threatened with rape twice and physically assaulted by police officers in May 2025. These allegations have not been independently investigated.

Nargiz Absalamova was denied a medical examination for four months at Lankaran Penitentiary despite sinusitis, shortness of breath, and severe headaches. Prison staff told her the matter awaited approval “from above.” Tofiq Yagublu is unable to bear weight on his knee; prison authorities refused to allow him a crutch despite medical advice.

On 25 June, Aytaj Tapdig‘s family reported her telephone calls with friends had been cut off. Families of Alasgar Mammadli and other detainees report ongoing visit restrictions. Elvin Mustafayev, a trade union confederation member held at Penitentiary Facility No. 17, is reportedly being threatened by prison management.

03

Persecution Beyond Borders

HRW: In Absentia Convictions Target Critics Abroad

On 10 June, Human Rights Watch documented Azerbaijan’s systematic use of in absentia criminal convictions against critics abroad. Eight cases from July 2025–March 2026 show Azerbaijani nationals in Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US sentenced to 6–16 years based on social media posts. Among those convicted are historian Altay Goyushov (France, 6 years) and analyst Arastun Oruclu (New York, 8 years). Trials used state-appointed lawyers with no client contact and forensic experts applying no internationally recognised standards.

Travel Ban on Opposition Leader

On 23 June, a travel ban was imposed on Arif Hajili, chairman of Musavat Party’s parliamentary group and former party leader, preventing him from leaving the country.

Berlin Hunger Strike

On 16 June, Azerbaijani diaspora activists held a hunger strike in Berlin in solidarity with the political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

04

PACE Resolution and International Accountability

On 24 June, PACE adopted the resolution “Silencing Critical Voices in Azerbaijan,” calling for the release of all political prisoners and an end to prosecutions of journalists, defenders, and opposition figures. The resolution raises specific concern about the treatment of female journalists in detention. Azerbaijan’s PACE delegation has been absent since January 2024. The country remains bound by the European Convention on Human Rights with hundreds of unimplemented ECtHR judgments outstanding. In June, the ECtHR issued rulings against Azerbaijan for imposing travel bans on family members of political prisoners, for violations of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, and for the killing of an Armenian serviceman in violation of the right to life.

05

Energy Deals and Russia

$7.5 Billion in Western Energy Contracts

From 1–3 June, Baku hosted the first Azerbaijan-US Economic Dialogue alongside the 31st Baku Energy Week. Contracts worth $7.5 billion were signed with TotalEnergies, Chevron, JP Morgan, Apollo Global Management, and Comstock Resources, including a 15-year deal for 50% of Absheron gas output. EU imports of Azerbaijani gas have risen over 40% since 2021. On 2–3 June, the EU and Azerbaijan provisionally concluded Partnership Priorities and resumed Comprehensive Bilateral Agreement negotiations.

Shadow Fleet: 31 Azerbaijan-Registered Firms Managing Sanctioned Tankers

On 3 June, OCCRP, iFact, GMC, Monitori, and Meydan TV revealed that at least 31 companies registered in Azerbaijan were providing safety management for Russia’s sanctioned “shadow fleet” — EU and UK-blacklisted tankers transporting Russian crude. “In the shadow fleet, that lack of transparency is often a purposefully built-in feature and way of reducing risk of being sanctioned,” said Isaac Levi, head of Europe-Russia policy at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, to OCCRP.

06

New Laws, New Controls

Legislation to Allow Forced Psychiatric Examinations

On 25 June, Azerbaijan’s parliament has moved to grant prosecutors and police officers the authority to refer citizens for compulsory psychiatric examination without their consent or their families. The UN Principles for the Protection of Persons with Mental Illness establish that such procedures may only be applied in limited, clearly defined circumstances with independent oversight. Granting this authority to law creates a mechanism readily susceptible to abuse, with a well-documented history of misuse in the post-Soviet space.

New Media and Broadcasting Council

In June, Azerbaijan established the Media and Broadcasting Council. Press freedom organisations warn it will function as an additional licensing and censorship mechanism. Azerbaijan has no remaining independent national media outlets operating inside the country. With journalists from Meydan TV, Abzas Media, Toplum TV and other outlets under criminal prosecution, the new council extends formal state control over media governance precisely when independent journalism has been eliminated through prosecution.