Family of Jailed Abzas Media Editor Alleges Abuse During Prison Visit

Sevinj Vagifqizi

Sevinj Vagifqizi, the jailed editor of Abzas Media, had family members who say they were abused by staff at the Lankaran Penitentiary Complex during a recent visit. These incidents, including forced searches and privacy breaches, allegedly happened on October 18, 2025.

Abzas Media and Meydan TV report that the journalist's mother, Ofeliya Maharramova, and sister were treated poorly.

Before the visit, staff tried to forcibly search Vagifqizi’s mother and sister in a private room, demanding they take off their shoes.

The family questioned the search, as Maharramova has a heart device and wanted careful handling, while the journalist's sister couldn't comply due to a recent leg surgery. Both asked for a device search instead. Though an apparatus check found nothing, the forced searches continued as they left.

Vagifqizi’s sister said her shoes were forcibly removed during the exit search, and the insoles were torn out. She called the supervisor's manner rude.

The family also claims their privacy was violated during the one-hour visit with Sevinj Vagifqizi, as a supervisor stayed in the room the whole time.

Sevinj Vagifqizi was upset, saying she couldn't talk freely. The staff member reportedly said, “that is the order”.

Sevinj Vagifqizi is connected to the Abzas Media case.

On June 20, the Baku Court sentenced her and others, including Ulvi Hasanli, to prison. Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova got eight-year sentences, and Mahammad Kekalov got seven and a half years. The Baku Court of Appeals supported this on September 9.

Vagifqizi, Absalamova, and Gasimova were moved to the Lankaran Penitentiary Complex on September 25, which relatives say has made visits harder. The journalists believe the transfer is due to their work.

Since the alleged abuse happened on a non-working day, getting a statement from the Penitentiary Service was initially impossible, and neither it nor other relevant bodies have commented yet.