Azerbaijan's Toplum TV case: Nine defendants sentenced to combined 121 years in prison
Azerbaijan’s Toplum TV case
On 27 July, the Baku Serious Crimes Court, chaired by Judge Azer Tagiyev, delivered its verdict in the Toplum TV case.
Nine people linked to Toplum TV and the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI), including journalists, media law experts, project coordinators and members of the Third Republic Platform, were sentenced to between 12 and 15 years in prison. They were also banned from holding certain positions for two years and six months. The court additionally granted a civil claim, including the confiscation of the defendants’ property.
Following the verdict, Elmir Abbasov, one of the outlet’s employees, was taken into custody in the courtroom.
Defence lawyers said the trial had been unfair, arguing that defence motions had been routinely rejected and that the case was politically motivated. They said they would appeal the verdict.
International organisations described the sentences as “excessively harsh and politically motivated” and called for the immediate release of those convicted.
Case and charges
On 6 March 2024, Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry searched the offices of Toplum TV and the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI), as well as several other locations. The defendants were initially charged under Article 206.3.2 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code with smuggling foreign currency as part of a group acting by prior conspiracy.
The charges were later expanded to include illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering on an especially large scale, tax evasion, document forgery, and the alleged unlawful receipt and use of funds from Western donors to finance Toplum TV, the Institute for Democratic Initiatives, the Fakt Yoxla fact-checking platform and the Third Republic Platform as part of an organised criminal group.
Prosecutors described the defendants as members of an “organised criminal group” and sought prison terms of between 13 and 16 years. All of the defendants rejected the charges, saying the evidence had either been fabricated or was unfounded, and that the arrests were intended to suppress independent media and democratic initiatives.
During the trial, defence lawyers repeatedly raised concerns over the health of several defendants, including Alasgar Mammadli, the court’s refusal to grant requests for house arrest, allegations that witnesses had been pressured into giving testimony, and other alleged procedural violations.
Toplum TV was an independent online television platform and news outlet established in 2016. It covered political and social issues, corruption and human rights. The Institute for Democratic Initiatives focused on promoting democratic initiatives, youth education and media training.
Defendants’ final statements
In their final statements, the defendants rejected all charges against them, describing the case as politically motivated.
Speaking on 20 July, Akif Gurbanov said democratic ideals could not be destroyed. He accused the authorities of acting in the spirit of the Soviet regime by refusing to acknowledge their own mistakes, and criticised the concentration of economic resources in the hands of those in power, as well as the lack of independent media and an independent judiciary:
“Even if they try for centuries, they will not be able to destroy the ideals of the republic… They do not want independent media or an independent judiciary. We do not intend to submit to this system,” he said.
He said Toplum TV and Fakt Yoxla had been established to promote professional journalism and counter disinformation.
Instead of delivering a final statement, Ruslan Izzatli read a letter addressed to his son.
Other defendants also argued that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient evidence. They said, in particular, that the allegation they had smuggled 837,000 manats (about $492,500) in cash was inconsistent with the way international donor organisations operate.
They also criticised what they described as the one-sided nature of the trial and politically motivated prosecution. Journalist Farid Ismayilov and several other defendants reported health problems and said they had received threats while in detention.
Below are brief profiles of each defendant, including their background, role in the organisations, the charges brought against them and the sentence imposed.
Akif Gurbanov – 15 years in prison
Akif Gurbanov was born on 3 August 1981 in Georgia. He graduated from Azerbaijan Medical University in 2004, the Council of Europe’s School of Political Studies in Strasbourg in 2008, and the Faculty of Law at Kharkiv National University in 2016. He is married and has three children.
Gurbanov began his political career in 2002 with the Umid (Hope) party, where he served as deputy chair for youth affairs and head of its election campaign headquarters. Between 2006 and 2016, he was a member of Azerbaijan’s Central Election Commission.
He is the founder and director of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI), a co-founder of Fakt Yoxla and Toplum TV, and one of the founders of the Third Republic Platform. Since 2024, he has served as the platform’s spokesperson. He was arrested on 6 March 2024.
Charges: smuggling, illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering and other offences allegedly committed as part of an organised criminal group.
Sentence: 15 years in prison and a two-and-a-half-year ban on holding certain positions.
Ruslan Izzatli – 15 years in prison
Ruslan Izzatli was born on 18 April 1989 in Aghdam. Following the occupation of Aghdam, he lived in Barda. He graduated from the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts with a degree in art history in 2012, later completing a master’s degree in Global Politics and International Relations at Bahçeşehir University. He also studied at the Council of Europe’s School of Political Studies. He is married and has one child.
Between 2009 and 2012, he headed the Whole Azerbaijan youth organisation. He served as deputy chair of the Umid (Hope) party from 2012 to 2013 and led the D18 movement between 2013 and 2021. He ran for parliament in 2015 and 2020.
He took part in the Second Karabakh War and was awarded the For the Liberation of Fuzuli medal and the Participant in the Patriotic War medal. He is one of the founders of the Third Republic Platform. He was arrested in March 2024.
Charges: participation in an organised criminal group and financial offences.
Sentence: 15 years in prison and a ban on holding certain positions.
Alasgar Mammadli – 14 years in prison
Alasgar Mammadli was born on 24 May 1968 in the settlement of Guzanly in Aghdam District to a family of teachers. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at Istanbul University in 1996 and obtained a master’s degree from the Public Administration Institute for Turkey and the Middle East (TODAİE) in Ankara in 2001. He is married and has two children.
A media law expert, Mammadli worked as a lawyer and manager for Internews and IREX between 2002 and 2014. He is one of the founders of the Media Law Institute and has delivered hundreds of professional training courses. Since 2016, he has been the legal founder of Toplum TV. He was arrested in March 2024.
Charges: participation in an organised criminal group and financial offences.
During the trial, concerns over Mammadli’s health were repeatedly raised, particularly regarding a tumour in his throat and the need for surgery. The court rejected repeated requests to transfer him to house arrest. Mammadli maintained that his income had been lawfully earned, that all taxes had been paid, and that he was a political hostage.
Sentence: 14 years in prison and a ban on holding certain positions.
Ali Zeynal – 14 years in prison
Ali Zeynal was born on 24 February 1996. An independent multimedia journalist, he has worked as a reporter, presenter, fact-checker and trainer since 2016. At the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI), he coordinated a programme for young journalists and served as their mentor.
He was arrested on 6 March 2024. According to the prosecution, searches of his home uncovered €10,150 and $9,060 in cash.
Charges: smuggling, as well as additional financial offence charges brought later in the investigation.
According to available information, Zeynal was subjected to pressure while in detention, placed in solitary confinement as a disciplinary measure, and faced harassment over his reporting.
Sentence: 14 years in prison and a ban on holding certain positions.
Mushfig Jabbar – 13 years in prison
Mushfig Jabbar worked as a video editor for Toplum TV. He was arrested on 6 March 2024.
Charges: smuggling and other financial offences.
During the trial, Jabbar criticised the quality of the investigation. He said investigators had attempted to link the smuggling charge to the question: “Can you run?” He also said the court had rejected requests to transfer him to house arrest.
Sentence: 13 years in prison and a ban on holding certain positions.
Ramil Babayev – 13 years in prison
Ramil Babayev worked as a project coordinator at the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI). He was arrested in March 2024. He is considered the first prisoner in Azerbaijan to openly state that he is a vegan.
Charges: participation in an organised criminal group and financial offences.
According to available information, Babayev was subjected to pressure while in pre-trial detention, went on hunger strikes and complained about conditions in the detention centre.
Sentence: 13 years in prison and a ban on holding certain positions.
Ilkin Amrakhov – 13 years in prison
Ilkin Amrakhov was born on 4 December 2001. He graduated from the Faculty of International Relations at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Azerbaijan. He completed the Institute for Democratic Initiatives’ (IDI) Young Project Leaders programme, later interned at the organisation and subsequently worked there as a team coordinator.
He was arrested on 6 March 2024.
Charges: the same as those brought against the other defendants in the case.
During the trial, Amrakhov described what he alleged were unlawful actions carried out during the search of the organisation’s office.
Sentence: 13 years in prison and a ban on holding certain positions.
Farid Ismayilov – 12 years in prison
Farid Ismayilov was born on 4 September 1998 in Khirdalan. He graduated from the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University before completing a master’s degree at Baku Engineering University. He served in the military between 2021 and 2022.
He has worked as a journalist since 2019. He previously worked for Kanal 13 and joined Toplum TV as a reporter in 2022. In 2023, he underwent lung surgery. Initially released under police supervision following his detention in March 2024, he was re-arrested on 17 January 2025.
Charges: smuggling, as well as additional financial offence charges brought later in the investigation.
While in detention, Ismayilov complained of threats against him and health problems.
Sentence: 12 years in prison and a ban on holding certain positions.
Elmir Abbasov – 12 years in prison
Elmir Abbasov worked as Toplum TV’s social media manager. He was initially released under police supervision and was later transferred to house arrest. Unlike the other defendants, he remained at liberty until the verdict was delivered.
During the investigation into the Toplum TV case, Abbasov’s mother—his only close relative—died.
Charges: participation in an organised criminal group and financial offences.
Following the verdict, Abbasov was taken into custody in the courtroom.
Sentence: 12 years in prison and a ban on holding certain positions.
