Meydan TV staff detained in Baku, accused of smuggling; journalists claim political persecution
Meydan TV journalists detained
Update as of 12:00, December 7, 2024:
On December 7, 2024, charges of smuggling foreign currency as part of a premeditated group were brought against five staff members of the online outlet Meydan TV and independent journalist Ramin Deco, who were detained the previous evening in Baku.
According to Meydan TV, the list of detained individuals includes:
- Aynur Elgyunesh
- Aytaj Tapdyg
- Hayala Agayeva
- Natig Javadly
- Aysel Umudova
- Ramin Deco
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that a total of 13 people have been arrested in connection with this case, though the identities of the others remain undisclosed.
Lawyers for journalists Hayala Agayeva, Aysel Umudova, and Aytaj Tapdyg stated that their clients deny the charges and believe the criminal case is linked to their professional activities.
Article 206.3.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, under which Meydan TV journalists are charged, pertains to smuggling by a group acting with prior agreement and carries a sentence of 5 to 8 years in prison.
Dozens of journalists are currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan, most facing smuggling-related charges. Solely in the case against the popular online outlet Abzas Media, nearly all its staff members, including the director and editor-in-chief, have been arrested since November 2023, along with several experts and human rights defenders.
22.00, December 6, 2024
The Azerbaijani online outlet Meydan TV reported on December 6 that six of its staff members were detained in Baku. Searches were conducted in the homes of several of them. The detentions were reportedly linked to allegations of illegal import of foreign currency into Azerbaijan. Meydan TV has protested against the actions.
Statement from Meydan TV
“Around 1:00 PM, contact was lost with several Meydan TV staff members. Later, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that the following journalists were brought to the Baku City Police Department:
- Aynur Ganbarova
- Aytaj Akhmedova
- Hayala Agayeva
- Natig Javadli
- Aysel Umudova
- Ramin Jabrayilzade (independent journalist)
Searches were conducted in the homes of some of them, with their equipment and personal belongings confiscated.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, independent journalist Ramin Jabrayilzade (Deco) was detained on charges related to the illegal import of foreign currency into the country. Several others were also detained as part of this investigation.
Meydan TV’s management has declared the detentions and interrogations of the journalists unlawful and denies all accusations.
“Since the beginning of our operations, our journalists have faced arrests, harassment, various forms of pressure, and threats. Journalists collaborating with us have been unlawfully banned from leaving the country.
Our website has been officially blocked in Azerbaijan since 2017. Our social media accounts have been subjected to cyberattacks multiple times, resulting in the deletion of information and materials.
Since its inception, Meydan TV has strived to provide proper coverage of events in the country, address citizens’ issues, and share their grievances and appeals.
Our mission is to establish independent and alternative media in the country and keep people informed. The pressure and accusations leveled against us since our founding are baseless. We reiterate that we will continue our journalistic work,” stated Meydan TV leadership.
