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One year into the Meydan TV case, 12 Azerbaijani journalists and activists face severe charges, including money laundering and tax fraud, as the government escalates its crackdown on independent media. They deny the political charges. Press freedom is at risk. Next hearing: Dec 12.

Tazakhan Miralimli, a top official of the AXCP opposition party, has been released after his arrest. The move comes amid the detention of AXCP leader Ali Karimli on serious criminal charges. Read the full story on Miralimli’s release, the persistent political tension, and international concerns about the rule of law in Azerbaijan.

Russia's Supreme Court upheld a 14-year sentence for 20-year-old Nikita Zhuravel (treason & Quran burning). The case is controversial due to reports he was assaulted in custody by Ramzan Kadyrov's son, Adam, who received state honors. Human rights groups doubt the forced conviction.

Escalation in Armenia: Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan is arrested on controversial 2018 drug-planting charges amid a severe political-religious clash. Prime Minister Pashinyan claims Catholicos Karekin II is a foreign agent. Read the full story on the deepening conflict between the government and the Church.

Abkhazian-Turkish academic Elçin Adzinba faced threats & a severe cyberattack after speaking at the UN Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva. She highlighted the humanitarian crisis caused by the non-acceptance of Abkhazian documents, denying thousands basic rights, education, and healthcare. Read the full report on the harassment, data erasure, and her call for practical UN solutions.

Kazakhstan's Senate postponed a vote on the controversial LGBT propaganda ban until Dec 18, coinciding with the EU Council President's visit. The bill, criticized as unfair and similar to Russia's law, faces strong opposition from rights groups. The delay signals internal debate on global alignment.

A BBC report alleges police used camite, an illegal chemical weapon, in water cannons during Tbilisi protests. The ruling party denies the claim, blames the opposition for the substance's purchase, and targets the BBC's sources in its inquiry. Citizens demand transparency and accountability for the dangerous chemical.

Investigative reporter Hafiz Babalı, imprisoned in Azerbaijan following the Abzas Media case, is reporting a health crisis and the illegal obstruction of his legal appeals. Sentenced to nine years, Babalı urgently needs medical care for severe leg symptoms. He alleges prison authorities are blocking appeals targeting pro-government media for defamation. This case underscores critical press freedom issues in Azerbaijan. Restore Babalı's medical care and access to justice now.

Researcher Ilkin Amrahov, 24, spent his birthday in jail following his arrest in the Toplum TV case. Read how the pro-democracy activist, who strongly denies currency smuggling charges, described the warrant-less police raid. The case raises serious concerns about media freedom and human rights in Azerbaijan.

Turkish Parliament (TBMM) investigates the detention and potential political deportation of Azerbaijani opposition figure Gultakin Hajibeyli from Istanbul. Detained under the G-82 "national security threat" code, she claims persecution amid Azerbaijan's opposition crackdown. MP Gergerlioğlu demands answers.

Azerbaijani opposition leader Tazakhan Miralimli (AXCP) was detained, and his home searched by state security (DTX), seizing his tech. His arrest is linked to the appeal hearing for Chairman Ali Karimli, who faces violent power seizure charges. This reflects a wider crackdown on the opposition. Read about the growing political pressure in Azerbaijan.

Yanis Varoufakis's "Conversations on Economics" is now in Azerbaijani. Completed by imprisoned RFE/RL journalist Farid Mehralizade, the book simplifies capitalism, AI risks, and money policy. Mehralizade stressed the vital role of economic knowledge for strengthening democracy and fair wealth distribution in Azerbaijan.

Investigative journalist Hafiz Babalı (AbzasMedia case) is suffering from poor health in an Azerbaijani prison, serving a 9-year sentence. A prison doctor confirms his serious leg condition requires urgent care. Babalı claims officials are blocking his legal complaints. Critics see this case as an attempt to silence independent media. Read more.

Conflicting witness accounts at activist Ahmad Mammadli's trial reveal major discrepancies, suggesting the charges (up to 11 years) are based on a staged incident. Mammadli’s lawyer exposed "strangers" knew each other from social media. Read the details.

President Trump issued a full pardon for Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, halting their federal bribery and money laundering case. The charges involved accepting $600k from an Azerbaijani oil company and a Mexican bank in exchange for official acts. This controversial pardon fuels debate on foreign influence in US politics.

Ali Karimli On December 5, the Baku Court of Appeals (BCA) rejected an appeal against the arrest of Ali Karimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), the organization reported.

On December 4, employees of the State Security Service (SSS) of Azerbaijan searched the home of Ali Karimli's wife's brother, Elnur Seyidov, according to a report from the APFP press service.

Azerbaijani opposition leader Gultekin Hajibeyli is detained in Istanbul and faces deportation to Baku under politically motivated 'public safety' charges. She holds a valid Turkish residence permit and fears immediate arrest on fabricated charges in Azerbaijan. Appeals filed with ECHR. Read her urgent appeal to the Turkish Government.

PACE General Rapporteur Azadeh Rojhan expresses serious concern over the politically motivated detention of Azerbaijani opposition leader Ali Kerimli on charges of attempting to seize power. Rojhan urges Baku to immediately review the charges and comply with its ECHR obligations. Kerimli and his advisor were remanded for 2.5 months.

The Meydan TV case, which involves the arrest of 12 journalists and media workers in Azerbaijan, is heading to court. The first hearing is scheduled for December 12 at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. Judge Aytan Aliyeva and her team will be in charge of the proceedings. Who's Involved? Twelve people are facing charges in this case. The first arrests happened on December 6, 2024. Those arrested included Meydan TV staff members Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunash), Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdiq