The Abzas Media Case: Judicial Proceedings and Troubling Conditions for Women in Detention

Recent legal proceedings have brought renewed attention to the "Abzas Media case" in Azerbaijan, where journalists and media staff face lengthy prison sentences on charges they dispute. Concurrently, a letter from one of the convicted journalists, Elnara Qasimova, has shed light on the concerning conditions for women in the Baku Pre-trial Detention Centre.

Court of Appeal Hearing and Judicial Concerns

On 26 August 2025, the Baku Court of Appeal held its latest hearing in the "Abzas Media case," presided over by Judge Zafar Ahmadov. However, the defendants immediately raised objections to the composition of the judicial panel. Sevinc Vaqifqizi, editor-in-chief of "Abzas Media," stated that Zafar Ahmadov was dismissed from his position in the prosecutor's office and mysteriously appointed as a judge. She alleged that "Zafar Ahmadov came to this position thanks to his father, former MP Vahid Ahmadov. He cannot make decisions of his own free will. He only carries out instructions given to him. Therefore, we object to the composition of this judicial panel".

Despite these objections, the court rejected the motion, and the trial continued with the same panel. Defence lawyers then put forward motions, requesting the acquittal of the journalists. The defendants, along with their lawyers, reiterated that their arrests were of a political nature and that they were imprisoned for their professional activities. Ulvi Hasanli, director of "Abzas Media," expressed that he did not expect a fair decision from this court, much like the first instance court.

Sentences Handed Down

The initial verdict in the "Abzas Media case" was delivered on 20 June 2025, at the Baku Serious Crimes Court. The judge's decision resulted in significant prison sentences for the accused:

Ulvi Hasanli (Director of "Abzas Media"), Sevinc Vaqifqizi (Editor-in-chief), Hafiz Babali (Investigative journalist), and Farid Mehralizade (Journalist and economist for "Azadliq Radiosu") were each sentenced to 9 years of imprisonment.

Journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Qasimova received 8-year sentences.

Mahammad Kekalov (Coordinator of "Abzas Media") was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months.

The defendants were accused of several charges, including smuggling. However, the journalists and their defence teams maintain that the investigation failed to present any conclusive evidence.

Elnara Qasimova, an "Abzas Media" journalist currently serving an 8-year sentence, has written a letter from the Baku Pre-trial Detention Centre about the treatment of women prisoners. Her account reveals a system marked by overcrowding, gender-based discrimination, and verbal and physical abuse.

Overcrowding for Women: Qasimova notes that the detention centre has eight blocks, each with three floors, making a total of 24 floors for prisoners. However, only one floor is allocated for women. While men's floors house a maximum of 100 individuals, the women's floor is forced to accommodate between 150 and 200 women, leading to severe overcrowding, a lack of space, and insufficient beds. When women protest, they are met with the retort: "Are you showing yourselves to men?".

Gender-Based Scrutiny and "Invisibility": The women's floor is situated between male prisoner blocks, with conversations easily heard across floors. When women's voices are raised, guards immediately tell them, "It's shameful, men can hear". Qasimova states that "every action of women here is scrutinised through a male gaze". Despite the absence of a legal dress code, strict and unlawful demands are enforced regarding women's attire. Guards meticulously inspect clothing, commenting on neckline, skirt length, trouser tightness, and shoe height. Women are told to "wear long" or that their make-up is "too much" because "there are men". Those who do not comply are sent back to change or are criticised for "disrespecting their womanhood". Qasimova concludes that "you must dress so that you are invisible". Even listening to music, singing, arguing, or demanding something loudly results in staff reminding women that "it doesn't suit a woman" or that "a woman must respect herself".

"Forbidden Love" and Unequal Punishment: Guards actively monitor the corridors for women speaking with male prisoners. If caught, women face punishment, while men do not. Female prisoners are subjected to humiliating lectures by male staff, their cells are searched, and any discovered love letters are read aloud to male staff, mocked, and discussed among other prison personnel. Consequently, the women's cells are changed. In contrast, male prisoners often manage to suppress such incidents by paying money.

Disparity for Prisoner-Employees: There is also a notable difference in treatment for prisoner-employees: women only start receiving salaries after their appeal court proceedings are finalised, whereas men are paid as official employees after the first instance court concludes.

Management's Dismissive Attitude and Abuse: The director of the Baku Pre-trial Detention Centre, Elnur Ismayilov, allegedly avoids the women's section, claiming that intervening in their frequent disputes would prevent him from managing the other seven blocks.

Deputy director Cavid Gulaliyev reportedly spoke rudely to female prisoners. When a woman requested medicine, he told her that she appeared to have spent enough on cosmetic procedures, suggesting she was not truly in need. He also shouts at female staff, calling them "criminals," and instructs the regime chief to replace them with "self-respecting male employees".

Another deputy, Ahad Abdiyev, also tries to distance himself from the women's section, once remarking, "I came to the 'jenski' to ruin my nerves". He has been heard comparing women's laughter to the sounds of "tribal members" and continues to criticise their attire.

Deputy regime chief Arif Heydarov is accused of physical violence, including punching and kicking women, and using insulting language. Despite complaints, no internal investigation has been conducted by the detention centre, nor has the prosecutor's office initiated an inquiry, leading to an increase in his abusive behaviour.

Token Gestures: Qasimova highlights the hypocrisy of these conditions, noting that after a year of "pricking with thorns," on International Women's Day (8 March), Deputy Ahad Abdiyev distributes roses on behalf of Director Elnur Ismayilov and cosmetic sets on behalf of the Deputy Minister of Justice, Farid Ahmadov. However, the degrading treatment quickly resumes after these temporary gestures.