On May 4, another court hearing in the “Toplum TV case” was held at the Baku Serious Crimes Court.
According to Toplum TV, at the hearing presided over by Judge Azer Taghiyev, the first statement was heard from one of the defendants, Ramil Babayev, an employee of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI).
Babayev stated that he has been on a hunger strike for five days because his complaints have not been addressed at the Baku Pretrial Detention Center, where he is being held.
He said that after the previous court hearing, he requested a meeting with the detention center’s head, Elnur Ismayilov, but for a week he has been repeatedly brushed off.
“They kept saying ‘today or tomorrow’ and did not allow me to meet with the head. Deputy head Javid Gulaliyev reviewed the applications I submitted. My first demand was for criminal proceedings to be opened against Gulaliyev over acts of torture. He responded, ‘Am I the only one here who beats people?’ Regarding my other demands, he said I could raise them in a meeting with the head. I told him that according to the law, he is required to forward my application to the court and my complaint must be formally reviewed. Five days ago, I began a dry hunger strike. Although I demanded a medical examination and transfer to another cell, neither request was fulfilled. Only last night did they realize there was a court hearing in the morning and call a doctor. I told them I would not participate in the hearing and that if they tried to bring me by force, I would harm myself. I was brought here by force. While being brought here, I was preparing to injure myself by hitting my head against the wall in the holding room. Akif Gurbanov advised me to take part in the hearing so that the issue could be publicized” he said.
Babayev added that he feels unwell and has vomited blood twice over the past five days, requesting that the hearing be postponed.
Speaking afterward, IDI head and Third Republic Platform speaker Akif Gurbanov said that he had tried to meet with Babayev at the detention center in recent days but was denied permission.
“A few days ago, my cell was searched, my old writings were confiscated, and my phone calls were restricted. Ramil included ending these practices among his demands. I only learned of this later and requested permission to meet with him on May 2. I said perhaps I could persuade him to end the hunger strike, because his health is important to us. The deputy head said, ‘We’ll see,’ because he was waiting for a response from the detention center head, who in turn was waiting for the Penitentiary Service, and they were waiting for the Presidential Administration. Later they falsely claimed that Ramil had ended his hunger strike. The authorities’ aim is to create an information blockade,” he said.
Later, another defendant, Toplum TV co-founder and media expert Alasgar Mammadli, asked that Babayev be provided with a doctor and that his complaints be investigated.
Although Judge Taghiyev proposed calling emergency medical services to the court for Babayev, the defendant refused. He said he wanted to meet with detention center head Elnur Ismayilov and would then switch to a water-only hunger strike.
Taking Babayev’s demands into account, Judge Taghiyev postponed the hearing until May 18. At the insistence of the defense lawyers, the judge also ordered that a doctor be called for Babayev.
A total of 10 people have been charged in the “Toplum TV case.” Those arrested include Third Republic Platform speaker Akif Gurbanov, founding member Ruslan Izzatli, Toplum TV co-founder Alasgar Mammadli, video editor Mushfig Jabbar, journalist Farid Ismayilov, and IDI employees Ali Zeynal, Ilkin Amrahov, and Ramil Babayev.
Journalist Elmir Abbasov has been placed under police supervision, while Toplum TV editor Shahnaz Baylargizi was initially placed under house arrest and later released under police supervision.
Those arrested in the “Toplum TV case” were initially charged with smuggling, but the charges were later escalated.
They deny all accusations and state that they were arrested on politically motivated charges.
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