Investigation Completed in Meydan TV Case Amid Allegations of Deplorable Conditions and Corruption in Azerbaijani Pre-trial Detention Centres

Baku, Azerbaijan – The investigation into the Meydan TV case has concluded, with charges against the defendants escalating to include eight articles of the Criminal Code. Concurrently, reports from inside the Baku Pre-trial Detention Centre reveal severe violations of official food standards and widespread corruption, painting a stark picture of conditions for detainees, including the arrested journalists.

Meydan TV Case: Charges Toughened and New Arrests

Baku's Main Police Department has completed its investigation into the Meydan TV case, with the accusations against the defendants now encompassing illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, smuggling, tax evasion, and document forgery. The case is anticipated to be referred to the Baku Court for Grave Crimes.

The initial detentions on 6 December 2024 involved Meydan TV staff members Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade), Aynur Ganbarova (Elgyunesh), Aysel Umudova, Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdyg), Khayala Aghayeva, Natig Javadli, and Ulvi Tahirov. They were initially charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code for smuggling committed by a group of people by prior conspiracy. Subsequently, journalists Shamshad Aga, Nurlan Libre, Fatima Movlamli, and Ulviya Ali were also arrested in connection with the case.

Most recently, on 27 August, photojournalist Ahmed Mukhtar was detained for 40 days as part of the Meydan TV case, despite the outlet’s management stating he has "never worked with us".

Meydan TV asserts that these arrests are directly linked to its critical reporting. Editor Orkhan Mammad rejected all accusations, stating that attempts to involve additional people and the inclusion of individuals with no connection, like Ulvi Tahirov, demonstrate the authorities' intent to broaden "defamatory charges against journalists". He emphasized that repression "cannot stop a free press" and demanded, "Free our staff!". The detained journalists deny guilt, maintaining they are being persecuted for their professional work.

Detention Centre Menu Far Below Official Standards

Nərgiz Absalamova, reporting from the Baku Pre-trial Detention Centre, detailed severe discrepancies between the mandated food provisions and the reality faced by detainees. According to Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 22, detainees should receive a daily allowance of 100g fish, 100g meat, 300g vegetables, 100g fruit, 100g fruit juice, 2 eggs, 500g potatoes, and 120g various grains.

However, Absalamova's observations paint a grim picture

The detention centre's menu contains no fish, vegetables, fruit, or other items listed in the official regulations.

Meat quality is abysmal, with one supervisor reportedly stating, "I took this meat home for my dog, but my dog wouldn't even eat it". The so-called "meat sauce" was described as mostly fat "the size of an apple," with only "hazelnut-sized meat". The facility chief, Elnur Ismayilov, claimed to buy meat from the same source as his home, raising questions about why he, and not the Penitentiary Service, is procuring food supplies.

Eggs, which should be provided daily (2 per person), are given only once a week.

Sugar allowance, set at 40g per day, is reduced to 40g per week (equivalent to four teaspoons).

Fruit juice (100g daily) is replaced with "fruit-flavoured water" only every 4-5 months, with distributions noted only twice between January and March 2025, and twice in August 2025.

Fish is never provided, with the deputy chief citing concerns about detainees being poisoned in summer, a justification questioned by Absalamova given that fish is part of the state's summer menu. The author noted that no fish products were seen during her 1 year and 8 months of detention, regardless of the season.

Common meals include barley porridge (perlova kaşası) with an unpleasant taste and smell that few wish to eat, uncleaned boiled chicken meat with inedible black parts, green pea soup (peas, potatoes, water), and buckwheat porridge (qreçka kaşası) described as whole, unground buckwheat in a brown liquid. Some days, uneaten lunch is served again for dinner. Only semolina porridge (mannı kaşa) and boiled potatoes (kartof soyutması) are reportedly distributed without disgust by staff.

Meals are distributed three times a day in containers known as "balanda". If the "balanda" contains inedible food, detainees worry about what they will eat that day.

Special meals are a rare occurrence, offered only twice a year: on President Ilham Aliyev's birthday and the anniversary of former President Heydar Aliyev's death. Even these "godsend" pilaf dishes (qaralı aş) are criticised for old meat and sticky rice, but are still preferable to the regular fare.

Moreover, the deputy for economic affairs, Qadim Gasimov, was found to not possess the Cabinet of Ministers decision detailing food provisions, despite it being a direct working document for his role.

Neglect of Diabetic Detainees and Staff Corruption

The Cabinet of Ministers decision also mandates that meals for diabetic patients be prepared according to a doctor's recommendations. However, there are many diabetic individuals in the women's corps, yet the food distribution staff are reportedly unaware of any such special menu.

Sevinc Vaqifqızı, another detainee at the Baku Pre-trial Detention Centre, offered a perspective on the working conditions and corruption among prison staff. A supervisor, who admitted to not knowing letters and often relying on inmates to write work journals, stated her 650 manat salary was insufficient. She recounted witnessing senior staff receive payments via phone and began demanding 5-10 manat herself to open doors or allow inmates phone access. The supervisor also confessed to selling movie episodes to inmates for 1 manat each and noted other guards sold items like perfumes and shampoos. She also claimed that inmates cook for her, saving her from spending money on food.

The supervisor also detailed a culture of nepotism, where those with "connections" in good positions avoid work, while others perform their duties. Night shifts are described as more relaxed, with supervisors spending hours chatting with inmates and eating sunflower seeds. The supervisor admitted to sleeping deeply during her night shifts and stated she would not wake up if someone fell ill.

These revelations from inside the Baku Pre-trial Detention Centre highlight a systemic failure to adhere to official standards and raise serious concerns about the welfare of detainees, including the journalists currently held in connection with the Meydan TV case.