The detention period of Aynur Elgunash, Aytaj Tapdig, and Natig Javadi has been extended.
During a court session held on April 2 at the Khatai District Court, the detention period of journalists Aynur Elgunash (Ganbarova), Aytaj Tapdig (Ahmadova), and Natig Javadli, arrested in connection with the “Meydan TV Case,” was extended for another 3 months.
The court sessions were held separately.
Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunash), the editor-in-chief of Meydan TV, and Natig Javadli, a journalist at the site, complained about mistreatment.
The journalists stated that although they were brought from the Baku Investigation Prison to the Khatai District Court building at 8 a.m. for the process held the previous day, they were kept without food or water until the evening. Their detention was extended after the prosecutor’s presentation and the investigator’s request were considered in the afternoon. Javadli added that even during this time, their handcuffs were not removed. Pointing out that this was a form of torture, the journalist asked Judge Rafael Sadikhov to investigate the matter of torture and send a query to the prosecution.
During the court process, both the journalists and their lawyers emphasized that the request for extending the detention was unfounded and demanded that it not be granted. The journalists argued that the charges of smuggling were baseless and that Meydan TV was being punished for exposing government corruption.
The detention period for all three journalists has been extended until the beginning of July.
The decision was justified by the concern that if the journalists remained free, it could impact the investigation process.
The journalists’ lawyers will file an appeal against this decision.
On December 6, 2024, several employees of Meydan TV, including Ramin Deko, Aynur Ganbarova, Aysel Umudova, Aytaj Ahmadova, Khayala Aghayeva, and Natig Javadli, were arrested and charged with smuggling under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code, with a 4-month detention order for the investigation period. Ulvi Tahirov, a civil society member with no connection to Meydan TV, was arrested on the same day under similar charges. Additional arrests followed, including Shamshad Aghayev, Nurlan Libre, and Fatima Movlamli, all in connection with the “Meydan TV” case, with detention periods ranging from 1 to 2 months. Their homes were searched, and personal items were confiscated.
The detained journalists deny the charges, asserting they are being punished for their critical work, while the government claims the arrests are not politically motivated. Around 30 other journalists and activists are also imprisoned under similar accusations, prompting calls from international human rights organizations and Western officials for their release.
