Azerbaijan Escalates Charges in Toplum TV Case While Ignoring Defense Petitions

On May 5, the preparatory hearing for the “Toplum TV case” continued.

During the process held under the chairmanship of Judge Azer Tagiyev at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, the lawyers made requests to not extend the detention periods of the accused individuals and to return the items seized during the police search.

The lawyer of Alesker Mammadli, co-founder of “Toplum TV,” also filed a request to replace his client's detention with house arrest due to health reasons.

The judge did not approve any of the applications related to detention.

It was announced that the personal items seized during the search would be returned to their rightful owners.

The next hearing of the case has been scheduled for May 12.

On March 6, 2024, the police conducted a search at the office of “Toplum TV,” an independent online television station in Baku, and sealed the media organization's office.

A total of 10 people have been charged in the “Toplum TV case.” Alesker Mammadli, journalists Mushfig Jabbar and Farid Ismayilov, the head of the "Democratic Initiatives Institute" and spokesperson of the “III Republic Platform” Akif Qurbanov, founding member of the “III Republic Platform” Ruslan Izzetli, and employees of the Democratic Initiatives Institute Ali Zeynal, Ramil Babayev, and Ilkin Emrahov have been arrested.

Initially, criminal charges were filed against them under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed in conspiracy with a group of persons), but on January 17 of this year, new charges with aggravating circumstances were brought against them.

“Toplum TV” issued a statement claiming that the events were related to their professional activities and described the actions as pressure on independent media.

Many local and international organizations have recognized those arrested in this case as political prisoners and called on the government to release them immediately.