In the face of international criticism, Azerbaijan sentences the Abzas Media team

June 30, 2025

The Baku Court for Grave Crimes has sentenced seven members of the independent news outlet Abzas Media to lengthy prison terms ranging from seven-and-a-half to nine years on charges including money laundering, tax evasion, and illegal business operations. These journalists, who have been in pre-trial detention since November 2023, were known for their investigative reporting on corruption linked to President Ilham Aliyev's government and family. The arrests occurred just months before Azerbaijan's presidential election, where Aliyev secured another seven-year term amid a lack of political opposition.

Who is affected

Journalists from Abzas Media (including Director Ulvi Hasanli, Editor-in-Chief Sevinc Vagifgizi, Deputy Director Mahammad Kekalov, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova)
Independent investigative reporter Hafiz Babali
Independent economist Farid Mehralızadeh
The broader community of independent journalists in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani citizens who relied on Abzas Media's reporting on corruption and social injustice
Other inmates who reportedly experienced mistreatment in the detention center

What action is being taken

The Baku Court for Grave Crimes is imposing multi-year prison sentences on the journalists
The detained journalists are protesting by refusing to attend hearings
The journalists are making powerful statements during court proceedings
The accused are using symbolic gestures of protest, such as turning their backs to judges and displaying posters about corruption investigations
Local and global human rights organizations are condemning the arrests and sentencing

Why it matters

The case represents a significant crackdown on press freedom in Azerbaijan, targeting journalists who specifically investigated corruption connected to the president and his family. The timing of the arrests—just before a presidential election—suggests political motivation to silence critical voices. During detention, female journalists reported physical abuse and mistreatment, highlighting concerns about prisoner treatment. The case demonstrates the Azerbaijani government's approach to independent media, contradicting President Aliyev's public claims that there is "no censorship" in the country while simultaneously portraying journalists as criminals in state-aligned media.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices