On January 24, the Khatai District Court of Baku rejected the petition to transfer Meydan TV journalist Aysel Umudova to house arrest, Turan was informed by her lawyer, Agyl Laidj. The defense was aware that the petition would be rejected, but they appealed to the court to follow the necessary procedures for a future appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. The lawyer pointed out the groundlessness of keeping Umudova in custody, as she had not evaded investigation or interfered with witnesses. Umudova linked the criminal case against her to her journalistic activities.
On December 6, Meydan TV employees Aynur Elgunesh, Aytaj Tapdyg, Khayala Agaeva, Aysel Umudova, Natig Javadly, and freelance journalist Ramin Deko (Jabrailzade), along with media expert Ulvi Tairov, were detained on suspicion of currency smuggling. On December 8, a court ordered their arrest.
The journalists connected the criminal case to their professional activities. Human rights defenders recognized them as political prisoners.