On January 26, the international human rights organization Amnesty International addressed an appeal to President Ilham Aliyev regarding the imprisoned employees of Meydan TV. The organization demands the immediate release of the 12 individuals arrested in connection with this case.
The appeal states that at least three of the 12 journalists, who have been arbitrarily detained in Azerbaijan, are being denied urgently needed medical care:
“Their health is deteriorating fast. All 12 are behind bars in retaliation for their journalistic work, facing ill-treatment and denied their right to a fair trial. They must be immediately released, and all those requiring medical treatment urgently receive it.“
The appeal emphasizes that detained journalist Shamshad Agha is suffering from stomach problems, while Editor-in-Chief Aynur Elgunash requires physiotherapy following a major surgery. It is also noted that journalist Ulviya Ali, arrested in the “Meydan TV case,” must take medication due to a chronic illness. The organization also recalls what other Meydan TV journalists have endured.
It is reported that journalist Aysel Umudova was subjected to sexual harassment while being detained by police, Khayala Agayeva faced psychological pressure, and another journalist, Nurlan Libre, was subjected to physical violence.
The statement says: “The criminal charges brought against these 12 journalists are trumped up. They stand accused of violating Azerbaijan’s financial regulations, yet these regulations are unduly restrictive and are manifestly intended to deprive independent media and NGOs of funding, by making legal compliance impossible for such outlets as Meydan TV.
Under these regulations, any independent funding is illegal unless the government expressly allows it, which it never does for its critics. They also stand accused of unlawfully enriching themselves and other crimes which are manifestly untrue. Their only “crime” is being government critics and independent journalists.”.
”In its letter to Ilham Aliyev, Amnesty International calls for immediate action in the following areas:
- An end to repression against free media and dissenting opinions in Azerbaijan, and to the unjustified persecution and criminal prosecution of journalists;
- The immediate release of the 12 Meydan TV journalists, as well as all other individuals arbitrarily detained;
- Effective investigation of allegations of torture and other ill-treatment against detainees, and ensuring that Meydan TV journalists whose health is at risk receive the medical care they need without any delay.
Meydan TV employees Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade), Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunash), Aysel Umudova, Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig), Khayala Aghayeva, Natig Javadli, and civil society member Ulvi Tahirov were detained on December 6, 2024.
Those detained in the case were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group of persons acting in prior conspiracy).
On February 5, 2025, Shamshad Agayev (Agha), editor-in-chief of ‘argument.az’ and a journalist collaborating with Meydan TV, was arrested in connection with this case. He was followed by other journalists: Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) on February 20, Fatima Movlamli on February 28, Ulviya Ali (Guliyeva) on May 7, and Ahmad Mukhtar on August 27.
On August 28, charges in the “Meydan TV case” were aggravated, and those arrested were charged under a total of seven articles of the Criminal Code.
The detained journalists deny the charges and believe they were arrested on political orders, with the aim of silencing independent media and free voices in the country.
