Imprisoned journalists of Meydan TV – Aynur Elgunesh, Aytaj Tapdig, Khayala Aghayeva, and Aysel Umudova – have gone on hunger strike starting from July 4 in support of “AbzasMedia.”
Another journalist detained in connection with the “Meydan TV case” Fatima Movlamli, has also joined the hunger strike.
On June 20, the Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced those arrested in the “AbzasMedia case” as follows: Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifgizi, Hafiz Babali, and Farid Mehralizada received 9-year sentences; Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova received 8 years; and Mahammad Kekalov was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months.
On June 26, those convicted in this case – Ulvi Hasanli, Hafiz Babali, Farid Mehralizada, and Mahammad Kekalov – were transferred from the Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center to the Penitentiary Complex in Umbaki settlement.
In protest, Ulvi Hasanli began a hunger strike on the day of the transfer.
At the new prison, Hasanli has reportedly been subjected to violence and denied visitation rights with his wife and young daughter.
As a result of his hunger strike, he was placed in a punishment cell, and reports state he has been subjected to inhumane treatment.
On July 1, “AbzasMedia” issued a statement regarding Ulvi Hasanli.
The statement called on President Ilham Aliyev, Minister of Justice Farid Ahmadov, Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev, and Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva to take the matter under supervision.
Starting July 2, detained “AbzasMedia” journalists Nargiz Absalamova, Elnara Gasimova, and Sevinj Vagifgizi also began a hunger strike in support of Ulvi Hasanli.
According to their relatives, they have been subjected to inhumane treatment and torture on the orders of Elnur Ismayilov, head of Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1, where they are being held.
“AbzasMedia” employees were arrested in November 2023.
In May 2024, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (Azadlıq Radio) journalist Farid Mehralizada was also detained in connection with the case. However, “AbzasMedia” stated that it had no cooperation with him.
On December 6, 2024, five Meydan TV employees — Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade), Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunesh), Aytaj Tapdig, Aysel Umudova, Khayala Aghayeva, and Natig Javadli — were detained. They were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed in collusion by a group of persons). As a result, they were sentenced to four months of pre-trial detention during the investigation period.
On the same day, civil society member Ulvi Tahirov was also detained. He received the same charges and a four-month detention order. Ulvi Tahirov has no connection with Meydan TV.
On February 5, 2025, Shamshad Aghayev (Agha), editor-in-chief of the website “argument.az” and a journalist who collaborated with Meydan TV, was also detained. A pre-trial detention measure was applied to him as well.
On February 20, journalist Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) was detained in connection with a criminal case related to Meydan TV. The court also issued a pre-trial detention order for him.
Fatima Movlamli was detained on February 28 in connection with another criminal case related to Meydan TV. The Khatai District Court issued an arrest warrant for her.
Journalist Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) was detained on May 7 as part of a criminal case related to Meydan TV and was arrested by decision of the Khatai District Court.
The homes of the detained journalists were searched, and their phones, computers, and other personal belongings were confiscated.
The detained journalists insist they are innocent and say they are being punished for their journalistic work as Meydan TV staff.
Currently, around 30 journalists and public activists are in prison on similar charges. They deny the accusations and link them to their professional activities. Government representatives claim that there are no politically motivated arrests in the country.
International human rights organizations and Western officials have called on the government to release those who have been unjustly detained.
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