SSS Raids Hürriyet Office, Arrests Editor Vugar Mammadov; Tied to Mehdiyev Case

On October 30, the State Security Service (SSS) raided the offices of Hürriyet newspaper, its website Hurriyyet.az, and Hurriyyet TV, arresting editor-in-chief Vugar Mammadov.

The day before, on October 29, SSS agents searched the media group's headquarters, seizing computers and papers. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty says that while some employees were taken in with Mammadov, they were later let go.

Mammadov's family verified his detention, adding that his home was also searched after the office raid.

The SSS hasn't commented on the situation.

Some news sources close to the government claim the operation is in to Ramiz Mehdiyev's case, but this is not confirmed.

Vugar Mammadov is related to Sardar Jalaloglu, who chairs the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan.

Websites that lean towards the government say a computer and certain papers were taken from the Hürriyet offices.

People think the raid is tied to Ramiz Mehdiyev, the ex-head of the Presidential Administration, who is now under house arrest.

Since October 14, the Sabail District Court put Mehdiyev under house arrest for four months.

He faces charges under several articles of the Criminal Code, including those related to attempting to seize or retain power by force (Article 278.1), treason (Article 274), and converting illegally obtained property on a big scale (Article 193-1.3.2).