Crackdown Intensifies: Azerbaijani Authorities Press New Charges in “Meclis.info” and Abzas Media Cases

On June 10, Azerbaijani courts advanced the legal proceedings against Imran Aliyev and Elgiz Gahraman in the “Meclis.info” case, raising broader concerns over the state’s ongoing efforts to suppress independent media. These developments coincide with harsh sentences requested in the related Abzas Media investigation.

Meclis.info is a civic watchdog platform monitoring Azerbaijan’s parliament. Its director, Imran Aliyev, was arrested at Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport in April 2024 on smuggling charges.

Fellow defendant Elgiz Gahraman, a civic activist, was detained in February 2025 and placed under police supervision .

Both face eight charges related to financial crimes and abuse of authority, carrying prison terms of up to 12 years .

Simultaneously, the Abzas Media case began in November 2023, with the outlet’s director Ulvi Hasanli and six colleagues detained on smuggling and money-laundering accusations. International watchdogs label this crackdown as politically charged and punitive .

At Baku’s Serious Crimes Court, presided by Judge Roman Ələkbərli, the prosecution formally read the indictment. They allege Aliyev and Gahraman transferred undeclared foreign grant money via smuggling, including with false documents. The Ganja Regional Tax Office is listed as the injured party.

Aliyev, Gahraman, and co-defendant Tamella Musayeva entered not guilty pleas. The next hearing is set for June 17.

In recent hearings, prosecutors have requested 11–12 year sentences for several Abzas Media staff, including Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifgizi, and others, for alleged smuggling, money laundering, tax evasion, and forgery.

Defendants have described coerced confessions and fabricated evidence. Muhammad Kekalov stated, “I was forced to tell a fabricated story so the investigators would leave me alone”.

Meclis.info allegations revolve around undeclared grants and falsified customs documents, allegedly coordinated with those detained in Abzas Media.

Abzas Media’s Hasanli endured police brutality. A 2024 Reuters report confirmed he was subjected to beatings and electric shocks following his arrest, which sparked international outrage .

Kekalov affirmed in court:

“None of what I said during the investigation is true… I never brought money from anywhere…” meydan.tv.

Human rights groups—both local and international—view these legal actions as politically motivated, aimed at crushing independent investigative journalism and civic activism.

The charges under Azerbaijani Criminal Code’s sections on organized smuggling, money laundering, and abuse of power carry escalating sentences, increasingly being wielded against media figures.

With the Meclis.info trial advancing on June 17 and the Abzas Media case nearing verdict, these intertwined legal actions reflect a systemic suppression of press freedom in Azerbaijan. The international community continues to monitor developments, urging the government to uphold justice and media independence.