“We Are Targeted Because We Are Not the Regime’s Scribes” — Editor-in-Chief Aynur Elgunesh Speaks Out from Prison

Aynur Elgunesh

On May 15, 2025, Meydan TV marked its 12th anniversary amid an ongoing crackdown on its staff and affiliates. From prison, the outlet’s editor-in-chief Aynur Elgunesh (Gambarova) addressed a public letter denouncing what she describes as a fabricated criminal case against the media organization and several independent journalists.

Elgunesh emphasized that four of the individuals recently arrested in connection with the "Meydan TV case" — Ulvi Tahirov, Fatima Movlamli, Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli), and Ulviyya Ali (Guiyeva) — have no professional ties to Meydan TV.

“As the editor-in-chief of this media outlet, I once again declare that none of the individuals mentioned have ever been, nor are they now, employees of Meydan TV,” she wrote.

Ulvi Tahirov, she explained, is a close personal friend but has never supported the outlet’s editorial stance and has no affiliation with its work. Elgunesh stressed that associating him with Meydan TV is an act of bias and dishonesty. “Ulvi has never been a journalist, has never edited anything, has never worked in media, and isn't even a social media user,” she noted.

Fatima Movlamli and Nurlan Libre are known as independent and skilled reporters, but, as Elgunesh reiterated, neither has ever worked for Meydan TV. She further addressed claims regarding cash allegedly discovered in Movlamli’s home, saying the money had no connection to the outlet.

“Let me give just one example! Anyone familiar with euros knows that 500-euro banknotes have been withdrawn from circulation — especially European banks no longer issue them. In Azerbaijan, even from the early days of this process, currency exchange offices stopped accepting 500s. So how could the 500-euro notes ‘found’ in Fatima Movlamli’s home possibly belong to Meydan TV?” she asked.

Regarding Ulviyya Ali, Elgunesh stated that she was previously employed by Voice of America and has no business ties to Meydan TV. Ali, who was arrested on May 7, 2025, has reported experiencing physical abuse and blackmail during her detention. In a statement written prior to her arrest, she affirmed that she had no professional connection to Meydan TV — and added that even if she had, it would not constitute a crime.

Elgunesh dismissed the smuggling accusations brought against the detained journalists as false, asserting that the real motive is to silence independent reporting:

“This is a tool intended to silence us — but it will not succeed. Our only ‘crime’ is our conviction. We are targeted because we are not the regime’s scribes or thesis writers. By arresting these individuals, they are showing they want no journalist with a camera to exist. In fact, the arrest of unrelated individuals as part of a fabricated criminal case shows this clearly.”

She further argued that those truly involved in smuggling are members of the ruling elite:

“The real smugglers are those who carry Azerbaijan’s wealth to Europe and America — places they claim to despise. Just recently, only a tiny portion of the assets belonging to the chair of the Central Election Commission (whose mission, in reality, is far from ordinary — being responsible for massive election fraud) was made public. Now imagine what the country’s main political figures and those managing the budget actually possess.”

Elgunesh stressed that Meydan TV is politically independent and will continue its mission regardless of which government is in power:

“Meydan TV is not affiliated with any political group and will not alter its goal or direction under any government.”

She also reflected on the broader meaning of journalism and resistance:

“From the outside, we may look like a nightingale trying to extinguish a burning forest with a drop of water in its beak. So be it. In any case, trying is better than just watching the fire. Journalism is not a crime. We are prisoners of our convictions. Our imprisonment is our honor!”

As of May 15, 2025, Meydan TV confirms that none of its staff inside Azerbaijan remain free. The ongoing criminal case continues to expand, and it is unclear how many more individuals may be targeted.

On December 6, 2024, the Azerbaijani authorities detained Aynur Elgunesh, along with journalists Ramin Deko, Aysel Umudova, Aytaj Tapdig, Khayala Agayeva, and Natig Javadli. Later, Argument.az editor-in-chief Shamshad Agayev (Aga), as well as journalists Nurlan Libre and Fatima Movlamli, were also arrested in connection with the case. None of the detained journalists have pleaded guilty.