The Toplum TV Case: What You Need to Know

The Toplum TV case involves criminal charges against journalists and activists linked to Toplum TV, an independent media source. They were first charged with smuggling, but later faced more serious accusations. The defendants deny everything, claiming the arrests are politically driven payback for their work.

This case is centered around one media organization.

Toplum TV is a news source in Azerbaijan that aims to give people correct, neutral reports on politics, the economy, society, crime, and gender issues within the country and nearby.

Those being prosecuted are either founders, workers, or closely tied to this source.

State officials and court figures are part of the case, through their jobs or public comments.

Hikmet Hajiyev is the Assistant to the President and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration. He is important in the court case because of what he said publicly. At the COP29 conference in December, he mentioned the media arrests. He said the people weren't arrested for journalism but for non-journalistic activities, like smuggling and large-scale illegal financial turnover.

The defense wants Hajiyev to come to court and prove the se claims.

Azer Tagiyev is the judge in the Baku Grave Crimes Court for the Toplum TV case.

Zibeyda Sadygova is a defense lawyer. She objected to questions about a witness's phone, saying the password was taken under pressure.

These arguments show the disagreement at the center of the case.

The Toplum TV case is a conflict between two stories. The state accuses the defendants of crimes like smuggling and illegal money activity. The defendants say they're being prosecuted for their journalism and activism. Witnesses have taken back their statements, claiming they were forced. This makes the trial about whether it's a real criminal case or an attempt to silence a media voice for political reasons.