A trial involving seven journalists, who were detained in connection with the “AbzasMedia” criminal case, officially commenced on December 17 according to RFE/RL's Azerbaijani service.

Charges have been brought against the defendants for smuggling, illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering and tax evasion. If convicted, they could face sentences of up to 12 years in prison.

The list includes notable figures such as the publication's director Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinc Vagifgizi, the editor-in-chief, and Mahammad Kekalov, the coordinator. Farid Mehralizade who was a contributor to RFE/RL's Azerbaijani service, journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Qasimova, and Hafiz Babali, the head of a department at the Turan news agency, are also part of this group. 

At a recent court hearing, the lawyers contended that the allegations of smuggling and other charges levelled against the journalists lack credible evidence to support them. Journalists have asserted that they are facing repercussions due to their professional endeavours.

The arrests connected to the AbzasMedia case were initiated on November 20, 2023, when Hasanli and Kekalov were taken into custody. Authorities conducted searches at their residences and the publication's office, reportedly uncovering €40,000 at the latter location. Hasanli has made allegations that the money was intentionally placed by the individuals searching.

Overall, nearly 30 journalists and activists have been detained in Azerbaijan, facing allegations of smuggling. All individuals involved have denied the allegations, claiming they are being singled out due to their professional endeavours and asserting that the arrests are driven by political motives.

Objections raised

The Baku Court of Grave Crimes heard the case of the seven journalists, presided over by a panel of judges led by Rasim Sadykhov. 

During the preparatory session held on December 17, journalists raised objections against two of the three judges involved. Access to the courtroom was denied to journalists, but information was gathered from defence lawyers. 

According to Voice of America reporter Ulviyya Ali, the relatives of the accused journalists and some representatives of civil society were allowed into the courtroom. However, the first two rows of the courtroom were filled with individuals referred to as "interns".

Vagifgizi has announced that an investigation has been conducted into the judges overseeing their case. Sources indicate that Sadykhov has gained a reputation for carrying out political directives and delivering unjust verdicts against those who are innocent. 

In a recent statement, Vagifgizi raised concerns about judge Novruz Karimov, highlighting his previous affiliation with the former Ministry of National Security (MTN). He accused Karimov of having signed several rulings that were politically motivated. Before he was appointed a judge, Karimov served as an investigator at the MTN. 

Other defendants have expressed their objections to the judges, contending that those who fulfil political orders undermine the integrity of the rule of law. "The state does not require such judges," asserted Mehralizade. The court has dismissed the objections raised by the journalists.

Defence lawyers have submitted motions seeking the removal of journalists from the glass cabin, proposing instead that they be seated alongside their legal representatives. Additionally, the lawyers are calling for the charges against their clients to be dismissed, or at the very least, for them to be placed under house arrest until a verdict is reached. 

Absalamova and Qasimova have stated that they have consistently cooperated with investigations when called upon, asserting that their detention was unwarranted. The defendants expressed their commitment to comply with legal proceedings, asserting that they have no plans to evade the process, even if subjected to house arrest. 

Mehralizade has declared that he has no ties to AbzasMedia, yet he finds himself entangled in the ongoing case. "Had I collaborated with AbzasMedia, I would take great pride in that achievement. However, the reality is that I did not. There is no evidence against me," he said.

Babali brought attention to his health challenges during court proceedings, revealing that he is classified as a disabled individual. In a recent court ruling, only one motion received approval: the decision to permit journalists to sit alongside their legal representatives. The upcoming trial is scheduled to move forward with a court investigation on December 28.

Political researcher Samadov on trial

December 17 also saw a silent trial of political researcher and peace activist Bahruz Samadov, with no one allowed to enter the courtroom. 

Samadov was detained by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS) in August, and charged with treason against the state under Article 274 of the Criminal Code. The Sabail District Court imposed a four-month pre-trial detention measure on August 23, citing concerns that Samadov, who studies abroad, might evade investigation. 

Samadov denied the allegations, stating that he is a peaceful individual committed to promoting peace, both personally and through his academic work. 

His lawyer reported that Samadov faced pressure during questioning at the SSS. During a search of his residence, authorities confiscated his electronic devices, educational diplomas, and identification documents. No further official comments were provided by the SSS at the time. 

The term of Samadov’s pre-trial detention was extended to two months and 15 days on December 17, according to Voice of America reporter Ulviyya Ali. 

Azerbaijani authorities also detained and questioned bne IntelliNews reporter Javid Agha on August 27, subsequently imposing a travel ban on the journalist. Agha, who was en route to Lithuania, was held for 12 hours by the State Security Service (SSS) as a witness in the Bahruz Samadov case. 

The International Press Institute (IPI) called on Azerbaijan to immediately release Samadov and lift the travel ban imposed on Javid Agha.

International pressure 

Local human rights organisations report that there are approximately 300 political prisoners currently detained in Azerbaijan. Authorities have refuted claims regarding the occurrence of arrests driven by political motives. 

International human rights organisations, the US State Department, and a coalition of Western diplomats in Baku have issued a call to the government, calling for the release of individuals they deem unjustly detained. They have also stressed the need to cease pressure on independent media and civil society.

The European Parliament has called for a joint motion condemning Azerbaijan’s ongoing crackdown on civil society, independent media, and political opposition, calling for immediate action against human rights violations on December 18. The motion highlights that since 2023, Azerbaijani authorities have engaged in systemic repression, targeting civil society organisations, political dissidents, journalists, the LGBTI+ community, and environmental activists, particularly intensifying as Azerbaijan prepared to host COP29.

The European Parliament expressed concern over the 300 political prisoners currently held in Azerbaijan, including 23 Armenian prisoners of war. It singled out notable figures such as 2024 Sakharov Prize finalist Gubad Ibadoghlu, who remains under house arrest despite critical health conditions requiring urgent medical treatment abroad, and Anar Mammadli, a civil society leader in pre-trial detention since April 2024.

Additionally, the motion draws attention to the recent arrests in early December 2024 of several journalists from MeydanTV, including Aynur Ganbarova, Aytaj Ahmadova, Khayala Agayeva, Natig Javadli and Aysel Umudova, alongside other independent media and civil society representatives such as Ulvi Tahirov, Azer Gasimli and Rufat Safarov. 

The European Parliament described the charges against them as politically motivated and called for their unconditional release. It also condemned human rights abuses against detainees, including inhumane prison conditions, torture, and harassment, particularly of female political prisoners like Nargiz Absalamova. The resolution urges the Azerbaijani government to immediately end the repression, release all individuals detained on fabricated charges, and lift the travel ban on Gubad Ibadoghlu to allow his urgent medical treatment abroad.

Furthermore, the European Parliament called for the imposition of EU sanctions under its global human rights sanctions regime against Azerbaijani officials Fuad Alasgarov, presidential aide for work with law enforcement agencies and military issues; Minister of Internal Affairs Vilayat Eyvazov and head of the State Security Service Ali Naghiyev, who are held responsible for serious human rights violations.

The motion insists that any EU-Azerbaijan partnership agreements, including energy cooperation, must be conditional on Azerbaijan’s respect for human rights and the release of all political prisoners. It specifically urged the European Commission to suspend the 2022 memorandum of understanding on energy partnership until these conditions are met. The resolution has been forwarded to the European Council, the European Commission, member states and Azerbaijani authorities, and is awaiting the plenary debate and vote on December 19.