On December 17, 2024, the Baku Serious Crimes Court held a preparatory hearing in the case of Abzas Media. However, journalists were not allowed into the courtroom. In response to an inquiry from the Turan news agency, the court stated that there was no space available in the courtroom and suggested that journalists could file complaints with the Judicial Legal Council. However, a group of other individuals, including some relatives of the accused, were allowed into the courtroom.
*Between November 2023 and January 2024, the leaders and staff of Abzas Media – Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinc Vagifgizi, Mohammad Kekalov, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova – as well as investigative journalist and Turan agency employee Hafiz Babali, were arrested. In May 2024, economist and Radio Azadliq employee Farid Mehralyzade was also arrested in connection with the case.
Initially, they were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling by a group of individuals acting in concert). However, between August 16-19, the charges were intensified to include: Article 192.3.2 (illegal entrepreneurship with large profits); Article 193-1.3.1 and 193-1.3.2 (money laundering by an organized group); Article 206.4 (smuggling by an organized group); Articles 320.1 and 320.2 (forgery and use of forged documents); and Article 213.2.1 (group tax evasion).
These charges carry penalties of up to 12 years in prison. The journalists deny all charges, asserting that they are being persecuted for investigating corruption within the highest levels of government.
Human rights activists have declared them political prisoners. Many international journalist and human rights organizations have criticized the charges as fabricated and have repeatedly called for the journalists’ release.