An opposition leader on trial in Azerbaijan over his links to independent outlet Toplum TV has accused authorities of attempting to destroy media freedom and the rule of law.
Speaking in his final address to the Baku Serious Crimes Court on Monday, Akif Gurbanov said the prosecution against him and nine co-defendants was designed to silence critical voices.
“They want the media not to be independent, and the court not to be independent,” Mr Gurbanov told the court, presided over by Judge Azer Taghiyev.
“We have no intention of submitting to this system,” he added.
Mr Gurbanov, who heads the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI) and serves as speaker for the Third Republic Platform, is among 10 public figures and media professionals facing trial in what has become known as the Toplum TV case.
The defendants were initially arrested on currency smuggling charges, which were later upgraded by prosecutors to more severe offences. All 10 deny the allegations, maintaining the charges are politically motivated retaliation for their work.
In a wide-ranging speech, Mr Gurbanov drew parallels between the current administration in Baku and Soviet-era rule, arguing that political power in the country had become overly centralized around President Ilham Aliyev.
He also raised concerns over state expenditure and economic concentration, pointing out that a single conglomerate, Pasha Holding, accounts for £20bn ($26bn) of the country’s total market value.
“Every year billions are consumed from the budget, but citizens fill their fridges less each month,” Mr Gurbanov said.
He said his prosecution was rooted in his long-standing civic activism, including his work with the Central Election Commission in 2009, his role in establishing Toplum TV as a platform for professional journalism, and fact-checking initiatives aimed at tackling disinformation.
Mr Gurbanov singled out several of his co-defendants — including media executive Alasgar Mammadli, politician Ruslan Izzatli, and journalists Mushfig Jabbar, Ali Zeynal, Ramil Babayev, and Ilkin Amrahov — stating they were being punished for professional activities rather than criminal wrongdoing.
“They will not be able to erase republic ideas even if they try for centuries,” he said.
The trial is set to resume on 27 July.