Aytaj Tapdig: “Ulviya Ali Suffers from Severe Headaches Due to Injuries Sustained During

Ulviya Ali

Aytaj Tapdig, a detained journalist affiliated with Meydan TV, has reported that fellow journalist Ulviya Ali (Guliyeva), who was also arrested as part of the “Meydan TV case,” is experiencing serious health issues following her detention. Tapdig, in a letter sent from Baku Investigative Detention Facility No. 1 and relayed via her family on May 10, stated that Ulviya Ali’s condition is critical due to head trauma allegedly inflicted during police custody.

“Journalist Ulviya Ali (Guliyeva), after being subjected to police violence at the Baku City Main Police Department and receiving numerous blows to various parts of her head, vomited twice in the temporary detention facility and once in Kurdakhani. She has severe headaches,” Tapdig wrote.

She emphasized that the Azerbaijani authorities are responsible for what has happened to Ali:“Ulviya Ali had a tumor in her head in 2017 as well. We demand urgent action,” Tapdig stated.

On May 7, 2025, the Khatai District Court approved a pretrial detention order against Ulviya Ali, setting the term at 1 month and 29 days. She has been charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group of persons in prior collusion).

According to her lawyer, Elvin Elamov, Ulviya Ali refused to testify after her detention, which took place late at night on May 7. It is reported that she faced pressure during the arrest and that her computer was seized. Earlier, on January 16, 2025, she was summoned to the Baku City Main Police Department in relation to the “Meydan TV case,” and a travel ban was imposed on her. She had challenged the travel restriction in court.

In a statement written before her arrest, Ali said she had no professional connection with Meydan TV and even if such a connection existed, she would not consider it a criminal act.

Ulviya Ali is the 11th journalist detained in connection with the ongoing investigation into Meydan TV. The outlet has confirmed that she is not part of their team.

The “Meydan TV case” has led to the arrests of multiple journalists and media workers. On December 6, 2024, the Azerbaijani representatives of Meydan TV—Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade), Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunesh), Aysel Umudova, Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig), Khayala Agayeva, and Natig Javadli—were detained under the same criminal charge. Civil society member Ulvi Tahirov was also arrested on that day, although he has no affiliation with Meydan TV.

Later, on February 5, 2025, Arqument.az editor-in-chief and Meydan TV collaborator Shamshad Agayev (Agha) was detained. On February 20, journalist Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) was placed under pretrial detention in connection with the same case, followed by the arrest of journalist Fatima Movlamli on February 28.

Homes of the detained journalists were searched, and personal belongings, including computers and phones, were confiscated. All arrested journalists deny the charges and assert that they are being persecuted for their critical reporting.

Currently, around 30 journalists and civil society activists in Azerbaijan are behind bars under similar accusations. They reject the charges, linking them directly to their professional work. Government officials continue to deny the existence of politically motivated arrests. Meanwhile, international human rights organizations and Western officials are urging the Azerbaijani government to release those they believe are unjustly detained.