Date of Birth: 24 February 1987
Detained Since: 11 December 2023
Affiliation: Journalist, media figure, founder and chief editor of the independent broadcaster Kanal 11
Charges:
- Extortion by threats, committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy (Art. 182.2.1)
- Extortion by threats, committed repeatedly (Art. 182.2.2)
- Extortion by threats, committed with intent to seize property in a significant amount (Art. 182.2.4)
Conviction and Sentence:
On 28 December 2024, Teymur Karimov was sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment by the Baku Assize Court and banned from journalistic activity for 2 years. On 15 May 2025, the Baku Court of Appeal upheld the conviction but reduced the sentence to 7 years’ imprisonment. On 24 December 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the conviction and reduced the sentence to 5 years’ imprisonment.
Political Prisoner Status:
His detention meets criteria (a) and (e) of PACE Resolution 1900 (2012):
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(a) Violation of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, freedom of association, liberty, and the right to a fair trial under the European Convention on Human Rights.
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(e) Politically motivated prosecution aimed at silencing him for his independent journalism and critical reporting.
Summary:
Teymur Karimov is an Azerbaijani journalist and the founder of Kanal 11, an independent broadcaster known for covering social issues, citizens’ complaints, corruption-related matters, and the treatment of military veterans. His public profile is linked to critical journalism rather than political party activity.
He was detained on 11 December 2023 and charged with extortion by threats. The accusations alleged that he demanded money in connection with the removal or non-publication of critical video materials. Karimov denied the charges and stated that the case was retaliation for his journalistic work.
On 28 December 2024, he was sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment and banned from journalism for 2 years. The sentence was later reduced to 7 years by the Baku Court of Appeal and to 5 years by the Supreme Court, while the conviction itself remained in force.
The proceedings relied heavily on complainant statements, witness testimony, investigation protocols, and prosecution-controlled materials. Karimov alleged that he had been threatened, pressured, questioned about his journalism and contacts with bloggers abroad, and subjected to unlawful treatment in custody, but the courts rejected these claims without meaningful scrutiny.
His case forms part of Azerbaijan’s wider crackdown on independent media, alongside prosecutions targeting Abzas Media, Kanal 13, Toplum TV, and other journalists. International organizations, including Human Rights Watch and CPJ, have described the prosecution as politically motivated and part of a broader pattern of using criminal charges to silence critical journalists.
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