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Explore the Meydan TV court hearing in Baku, where journalists staged a musical protest using "Arşın Mal Alan." Learn about the 80,000 AZN tax claim, denied requests, and the wider crackdown on independent media in Azerbaijan.

Trial against independent Meydan TV journalists starts in Baku (Dec 12). 11 journalists face up to 12 years for financial crimes linked to foreign grants, a case CPJ labels an "unwarranted crackdown" on free press. Follow this crucial test of media freedom. Hearings set for Dec 22.

Azerbaijani lawyer Namizad Safarov was arrested and detained for 4 months on large-scale fraud charges (~$31k USD). While government sources cite failure to reinstate a client, opposition figures claim the charges are politically motivated due to his anti-corruption work and activism. Read the full report on the controversial detention.

Detained journalist Shamshad Aga speaks out from prison, strongly condemning the arrests of opposition leaders Ali Karimli & Mammad Ibrahim as Ilham Aliyev's act of repression. Aga insists fabricated charges cannot suppress the people’s enduring desire for democracy and justice in Azerbaijan. Read the full, powerful letter.

Human rights advocate Arzu Abdullayeva formally appeals to President Aliyev for the release of 12 arrested Meydan TV journalists. She argues the charges (smuggling, money laundering) are unduly harsh and linked to their free speech rights. Abdullayeva asks for a humanitarian act to boost public trust and Azerbaijan's image.

Journalist Shamsad Agha sends a powerful plea from the Baku Isolator, condemning the arrests of Ali Karimli & Mammad Ibrahim on 'fabricated' charges. He calls this a direct attack on democracy and stresses that repression will fail to kill the people's desire for justice and freedom. Read his full statement.

Azerbaijan's human rights crisis (Oct 2025 data) is escalating: 392 political figures, including 29 journalists, are jailed as the government cracks down on independent media and activists. Read the full report.

The RSF 2025 Annual Report reveals an alarming crisis: 67 journalists were killed and 503 jailed worldwide (Dec 2024-2025). The report highlights Gaza, Mexico, and countries like China and Russia as dangerous zones. RSF calls for urgent international action against press violence and impunity. Read the devastating global overview.

Exiled editor Ganimat Zahid's trial begins in Baku on political charges linked to his journalism. HRW condemns Azerbaijan's repression against critics and demands all politically driven charges be dropped.

Ulviyya Ali's report from detention exposes how female prisoners in Azerbaijan, charged with fraud/drugs, attribute their plight to abusive male partners and systemic injustice. Her statement: "I am also a victim of one man - Ilham Aliyev." Read the compelling stories of Saida, Nurana, and Toma.

One year after her arrest in the Meydan TV case, journalist Aysel Umudova writes a powerful letter from a Baku detention center, detailing her illegal detention, panic attack, and psychological abuse. Discover her defiant message of hope and unwavering belief in her work despite facing 7 charges. Read her full story.

Alarming update on the Toplum TV trial in Azerbaijan. Co-founder Alasgar Mammadli required medical help in court due to health issues, highlighting the dire situation for the 10 people charged. Defendants, initially accused of smuggling, strongly deny all charges, claiming their arrests are political. Read the defense's arguments and next steps.

Discover the conflict at the Azerbaijan-Georgia Media Forum hosted by MEDİA. While aiming for cooperation, the event was dominated by state-affiliated groups. Discussions criticized international media as "hybrid attacks" and promoted rules suggesting increased state censorship, contrasting sharply with ongoing crackdowns on independent press freedom in both countries.

Urgent call: Azerbaijani investigative journalist Hafiz Babali's health is failing in prison due to severe lack of medical care for a serious leg infection. Jailed in the AbzasMedia case, he faces blocked court appeals and restricted visits. Demand medical treatment and respect for legal rights now.

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.

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.

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.

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