A spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Police Lieutenant Elbrus Ibrahimov, has confirmed to Voice of America that Shamshad Aghayev (Agha), the editor-in-chief of the website arqument.az and a journalist collaborating with Meydan TV, has been detained.
“Shamshad Agha has been detained as a suspect in the ‘Meydan TV case.’ He is accused of smuggling,” the spokesperson said. On February 5, Shamshad Aghayev (Agha), the editor-in-chief of the website arqument.az and a journalist collaborating with Meydan TV, was detained.
According to Aghayev’s brother, Shahid Aghayev, the detention took place around 2 a.m. when an investigator, accompanied by 7-8 masked police officers, conducted a search at the family’s home in Baku.
“The police entered our house and searched everywhere. They confiscated Shamshad’s old phone, my phone, memory cards, several old discs, a computer, a modem, and press cards. They then prepared a protocol. Shamshad only said that he had been detained,” reported Shahid Aghayev.
Shamshad Aghayev’s lawyer, Shahla Humbatova, confirmed that he was detained as a suspect under the aforementioned article of the Criminal Code.
This is not the first time Aghayev has been involved in legal proceedings. On July 5, 2024, he was interrogated as a witness in the “Toplum TV case” at the Baku City Main Police Department. During that time, the investigation body verbally informed him that a travel ban had been placed on him.
The recent detention of Aghayev follows a series of similar arrests. On December 6, 2024, several employees of Meydan TV — Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade), Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunash), Aysel Umudova, Aytac Ahmadova (Tapdig), Khayala Aghayeva, and Natig Javadli — were also detained. They face charges under the same article of the Criminal Code for smuggling, allegedly committed by a group acting in concert. All of them were placed under a 4-month detention measure for the duration of the investigation.
On the same day, civil society member Ulvi Tahirov was also detained and placed under a similar 4-month detention measure. However, Tahirov has no direct connection to Meydan TV.
The ongoing case has drawn attention both within Azerbaijan and internationally, as authorities continue to target journalists and civil society figures under broad anti-smuggling charges.
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