The trial of Teymur Karimov, the head of the “Kanal 11” internet television, who has been imprisoned for over a year, has concluded. On December 28, 2024, the Baku Serious Crimes Court issued its verdict.
Presiding Judge Azad Macidov sentenced Karimov to 8 years in prison. In addition, he was banned from engaging in journalistic activities for the next 2 years.
Alongside Karimov, reporter Istak Totiyeva, who was not in custody, also faced trial. She received a 2-year probation sentence.
Both Karimov and Totiyeva were found guilty under Article 182.2.1 of the Criminal Code (extortion by a group of individuals in conspiracy). The victims in the case were Leyla Almaszada and Farrux Alakbarov.
According to the prosecution, Karimov and Totiyeva demanded 10,000 manat from Farrux Alakbarov to delete a video material from the internet. Ultimately, they received 1,000 manat from him. They also took 300 manat from Leyla Almaszada.
However, Almaszada testified in court that she had approached Karimov herself to address the issue, denied paying him money, and expressed that she had no complaints against him.
Before the verdict was delivered, Karimov insisted that the charges against him were fabricated and that he had been arrested as part of a conspiracy due to his journalistic activities. He stated that he was being punished for publicizing illegal actions.
During his detention, Karimov claimed he was subjected to physical violence and mistreatment by employees of the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime. He described being threatened with rape and beaten in custody. Karimov explained:
“On December 11, I was detained in Zabrat. Three non-uniformed officers put me in a car and brought me to the city. When I wanted to call my home or lawyer, they prevented me, took my phone, and put it on flight mode. At the station, the deputy chief witnessed me being beaten. I repeatedly requested a lawyer, but they insulted him as well. Investigator Akif Macidov personally took me to the deputy chief, where I was beaten. My rights to defense were violated.”
Karimov also expressed dissatisfaction with the court proceedings, claiming that the violations from the investigation stage continued during the trial. He alleged that the judges were not interested in uncovering the truth.
“When my case came under the jurisdiction of Azad Macidov, I no longer expected a fair trial. Prisoners in the basement of the courthouse are in contact with me, and everyone says that the judges involved in this case are biased. None of my motions were granted. For example, I requested that phone records be examined to prove that Totiyeva and Alakbarov did not meet, but the judges refused.”
Karimov also highlighted the disparity in the treatment of individuals, criticizing the fact that those who defraud state and public funds remain free while innocent people are imprisoned.
“I have four young children under my care. I have been the sole breadwinner of my family, and now they are living on financial support from friends and relatives. How long will this continue? People who steal from the state and citizens are free, while I am in prison for doing my job,” he said. He also noted that corrupt officials like Salim Muslumov, accused of defrauding 27 million manat, are released to house arrest and given light sentences.
Upon the court’s announcement of the sentence, Karimov’s relatives in the courtroom were visibly upset. His attorney, Nemat Karimli, expressed that they intended to appeal the verdict.
