It’s been a year since the Meydan TV case started, a clear sign of the Azerbaijani government's crackdown on independent news

On December 6, 2024, several Meydan TV contributors in Baku disappeared around 1:00 PM.

Later, it was learned that Meydan TV staff members Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade), Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunash), Aysel Umudova, Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdiq), Khayala Agayeva, and Natig Javadli had been taken to the Baku City Main Police Department.

Ulvi Tahirov, a member of civil society with no ties to Meydan TV, was also detained.

Photojournalist Ahmad Mukhtar was among those arrested that day.

Searches were carried out at the journalists' homes, and personal items were taken.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that Ramin Jabrayilzade was arrested for allegedly bringing foreign money into the country illegally. Others were also arrested as part of the investigation.

Meydan TV's management said the detentions and interrogations were illegal and denied all accusations.

They stated that since they began, their journalists and their families have faced arrests, persecution, pressure, and threats. Journalists working with them were illegally barred from leaving the country. Their website has been blocked inside the country since 2017. Their social media accounts have been attacked, and content has been deleted.

Meydan TV believes the authorities want to silence independent news.

Pro-government media outlets started a smear campaign against Meydan TV journalists and their work, using the supposed reasons for the arrests as justification.

Those arrested were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling by a group in agreement).

On December 8, the Khatai District Court of Baku ordered that the journalists and Ulvi Tahirov be held in custody for four months during the investigation.

Ahmad Mukhtar was found guilty of minor hooliganism and disobeying police, and he was sentenced to 20 days in jail.

The arrests did not stop there.

On February 5, 2025, Shamshad Agayev (Agha), editor-in-chief of argument.az and a Meydan TV contributor, was also arrested. A court ordered him to be held in custody.

Later, on February 20, journalist Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) was arrested in connection with the Meydan TV case.

Journalist Fatima Movlamli was arrested on February 28 under the Meydan TV case.

On May 7, journalist Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) was arrested in connection with this case.

On August 27, Ahmad Mukhtar was arrested, becoming the 12th person arrested in the “Meydan TV case.”

On August 28, the investigation ended, and the charges were increased. The accused now face charges under Article 192.2.2 (illegal business activity resulting in big profits), 192.2.3 (committed by an organized group), 193-1.3.1 (laundering money), 193-1.3.2 (committed in a large amount), 206.4 (smuggling by an organized group), 213.2.1 (tax fraud by an organized group), 320.1 (document forgery), and 320.2 (using fake documents) of the Criminal Code.

In total, those arrested face charges under 8 articles of the Criminal Code.

The arrested journalists deny the charges, saying they were arrested for political reasons to silence independent news and free voices in the country.

The court hearings will begin soon.

On December 12, a session for the “Meydan TV case” will be held at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, with Judge Ayten Aliyeva in charge.