The latest court session regarding the “Toplum TV case” was held at the Baku Grave Crimes Court.
The hearing was presided over by Judge Azar Taghiyev.
During the session, parts of the indictment concerning “Toplum TV” journalist Mushfig Jabbar, staff members of The Institute for Democratic Initiatives, Ali Zeynal and Ramil Babayev, and Ruslan Izzatli, a founding member of the Third Republic Platform, were read aloud.
The next hearing is scheduled for June 23.
In a previous session on May 19, parts of the indictment related to Akif Gurbanov, head of The Institute for Democratic Initiatives and speaker of the Third Republic Platform, as well as Alasgar Mammadli, co-founder of “Toplum TV,” were presented.
On March 6, 2024, law enforcement authorities conducted searches at the offices of “Toplum TV” The Institute for Democratic Initiatives, and the Third Republic Platform, as well as at the homes of several employees.
Following the raids, criminal charges of smuggling were filed against Farid Ismayilov, Elmir Abbasov, Mushfig Jabbar, Akif Gurbanov, Ali Zeynal, Ramil Babayev, and Ilkin Amrahov, who were subsequently detained.
On March 8, Ruslan Izzatli, founding member of the Third Republic Platform, and “Toplum TV” co-founder Alasgar Mammadli were also arrested on the same charges.
In total, nine individuals have been implicated in this case.
Seven of them remain in custody, while Farid Ismayilov and Elmir Abbasov have been released during the investigation period.
Initially, the accused were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a premeditated group). However, after the investigation concluded on January 17, 2025, the charges were intensified.
The updated indictment includes allegations of employing staff without contracts (Article 162-1.1), illegal entrepreneurship (192.3.2), money laundering (193-1.3.1 and 193-1.3.2), smuggling (206.4), and tax evasion (213.2.1).
On January 17, journalist Farid Ismayilov, who was under police supervision, was arrested.
On February 5, journalist Shahnaz Baylargizi (Huseynova) was detained and placed under a pretrial detention order for three months and fifteen days. On February 26, this detention was replaced with house arrest.
“Toplum TV” leadership and staff have condemned the actions as politically motivated pressure aimed at silencing independent media and free voices.
Since November 2023, around 30 journalists have been arrested in the country, many of whom are affiliated with Meydan TV, “AbzasMedia,” and “Toplum TV.”
These developments have effectively made it impossible for “Toplum TV” to operate within Azerbaijan.
As a result, since February 2024, the media outlet has continued its work from abroad through journalists operating outside the country.
