PACE rapporteur condemns confirmation of sentences for convicts in Abzas Media case

The rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the issue "Threats to the life and safety of journalists and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan," Christophe Lacroix (Belgium, Socialist Group), has condemned the Azerbaijani appeals court's confirmation of the sentences for those convicted in the Abzas Media case.

"I am deeply disappointed by the recent decision of the Baku Court of Appeal, which upheld the sentences of seven journalists from the independent outlet Abzas Media. Among those sentenced to long prison terms is the outlet's director, Ulvi Hasanli, who was recently shortlisted for the 2025 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize and had previously participated in PACE hearings. In June 2025, Mr. Hasanli was sentenced to nine years in prison and is currently being held in harsh conditions in a remote prison, where he has gone on hunger strikes and is in solitary confinement. The charges against Mr. Hasanli and his colleagues, including 'smuggling,' appear to be motivated by the goal of silencing critics, especially those who cover corruption," Lacroix stated.

Unfortunately, he continued, the convictions of the Abzas Media journalists are "not isolated cases but part of a broader and sustained system of pressure on representatives of independent media and civil society in Azerbaijan."

"Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy. Attempts to restrict independent reporting, especially on matters of transparency and accountability, undermine the very foundations of good governance.

I stand in solidarity with the courageous journalists and human rights defenders of Azerbaijan. I reaffirm my commitment to supporting their work and will continue to seek their release in accordance with Azerbaijan's obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights," the PACE rapporteur further noted.

He called on the Azerbaijani authorities to "return to the path of constructive dialogue." "Respect for human rights, promotion of pluralism, and constructive engagement with international community partners are crucial steps toward a prosperous and peaceful future," Lacroix concluded.

Five employees of the online publication Abzas Media, including its director Ulvi Hasanli, chief editor Sevinj Vagifgizi, translator Mohammed Kekalov, reporters Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova, as well as the head of the economic department of the Turan news agency, investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, were arrested between November 2023 and January 2024 on charges of smuggling foreign currency. Subsequently, Farid Mehralizade, an economic columnist for Radio Azadlig, was also arrested in this case.

Following the preliminary investigation in August 2024, the defendants were charged with six additional articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

They rejected the charges and stated that they were being prosecuted for their journalistic investigations.

On June 20, 2025, the court sentenced the journalists and employees of the Azerbaijani online publication Abzas Media to long terms. The outlet's director Ulvi Hasanli, chief editor Sevinj Vagifgizi, investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, and economist Farid Mehralizade each received nine years of imprisonment, Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova received eight years, and Mohammed Kekalov received 7.5 years. On September 8, the Baku Court of Appeal upheld the verdict.

The Abzas Media case marked the beginning of a series of arrests of independent media journalists in Azerbaijan since November 2023.

Several criminal cases have been initiated under a similar scenario, including the collective arrests of employees of independent online resources, Toplum TV and Meydan TV.