Detained opposition members Ruslan Izzatli and Akif Gurbanov call on president to free journalist Shamshad Agha

Members of the Founding Board of the Third Republic Platform, Ruslan Izzatli and Akif Gurbanov, who are currently imprisoned in connection with the “Toplum TV case,” have appealed to the president on behalf of Shamshad Agha, the editor-in-chief of argument.az, who is in custody as part of the “Meydan TV case.”

Akif Gurbanov and Ruslan Izzatli were arrested in connection with the “Toplum TV case.”

The arrests related to the “Toplum TV case” began in March 2024.

In total, 10 people have been charged in this case.

Initially, they were accused of smuggling, but the charges were later made more severe.

In their appeal, they called for the release of journalist Shamshad Agha, who remains under arrest:

“As you have repeatedly stated, it is you who determines what happens in the country and when, and it is you who makes the decisions. Even though there has been no court verdict against us and your investigative bodies have yet to ‘prove’ anything, you have, through several public statements, presented us as guilty of crimes that have not been proven, thereby openly showing that you stand behind the persecution against us. Thus, it is evident not only to us but to the entire public of the country and the world that we are facing this persecution by your will. As a result, what has been done to us is inconsistent with the Holy Qur’an, upon which you have sworn, the Constitution of the Republic, and the political and legal ethics of the civilized world.”

It was noted in the appeal that Shamshad Agha’s wife is suffering from a “serious, life-threatening illness” and urgently requires surgery.

“Unfortunately, the surgery carries a life-threatening risk, and doctors cannot provide a clear prognosis—they emphasize that the risk is high. Shamshad Agha’s family consists of four members, including two young children under his care. Under these circumstances, it is vitally necessary for Shamshad Agha, as the head of his family, to be by his wife’s side, to help organize her treatment, and to care for his children.”

Shamshad Agha was arrested on February 5 in connection with a criminal case linked to Meydan TV.

He was charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy), and the court ordered his pre-trial detention.

Currently, 12 people in total are under arrest in connection with this case.

On August 28, 2025, the charges in the “Meydan TV case” were made more severe, with seven additional charges added.

They also emphasized that these persecutions affect the families’ lives:

“We are aware that the unjust persecution we face, whether openly or covertly, also affects our family members, friends, and loved ones. They too are subjected to various hardships. However, we are not going to step back from the principles we have declared or from our path toward establishing the Third Republic in our country. Once again, we bring to your and society’s attention that we will not submit to the ‘One-Man’ regime you have built. We are determined to continue our struggle against your crude, arbitrary, and materialistic system using only peaceful and civil means, based on the law, our moral strength, and our republican ideals.”

The politicians wrote that since the investigation into the “Meydan TV case” has been completed, there are no longer any grounds to claim that Shamshad Agha might influence the case or attempt to flee the country.

“The preliminary investigation in the ‘Meydan TV case’ has already been completed. Therefore, there are no longer any formal reasons to suggest that Shamshad Agha might interfere with the case or try to leave the country. Thus, it is solely within your power to allow Shamshad Agha, at this difficult time, to be with his family, to help with his wife’s treatment, and to care for his children,” they emphasized in their letter.

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