Urgent Appeal to President Aliyev Over Imprisoned Media Expert Alasgar Mammadli's Deteriorating Health

Alasgar Mammadli

Baku, Azerbaijan – A collective of prominent civil society representatives, journalists, human rights defenders, and intellectuals has issued an urgent appeal to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev regarding the critical health condition of Alasgar Mammadli, an imprisoned media expert and lawyer. Mammadli, a co-founder of Toplum TV, is currently held in pre-trial detention as part of the ongoing "Toplum TV case."

Mammadli was detained by plainclothes individuals on March 8, 2024, while leaving a clinic in Baku, and subsequently placed in pre-trial detention by a decision of the Khatai District Court on March 9, 2024. He faces serious financial crime charges, including currency smuggling, illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, and money laundering. Mammadli vehemently denies these accusations, asserting that his arrest is politically motivated.

His health has reportedly deteriorated significantly since his imprisonment. The appeal highlights grave medical findings, stating: "Medical examinations have revealed a TIRADS III nodule measuring 23 mm in his thyroid gland (indicating a 50–75% cancer risk), serious problems related to his liver, kidneys, and pancreas, as well as calcifications in his prostate gland." The signatories emphasized that, according to medical protocol, a thyroid nodule exceeding 15 mm may necessitate surgical intervention.

Furthermore, the appeal notes that Mammadli is experiencing an increase in severe symptoms, including acute shortness of breath, continuous headaches, dizziness, and nausea, which "pose a real threat to his life." It warns that without urgent surgical operation, his health could further worsen and lead to an irreversible condition. Despite repeated motions from his lawyer for release to house arrest due to his critical health, the court has consistently rejected these requests.

The appeal, signed by a distinguished group including:

• Qulu Maharramli, journalist, Professor at Baku State University

• Alimammad Nuriyev, President of the "Constitution" Research Foundation

• Osman Gunduz, Director of the "Multimedia" Information Systems Technologies Center

• Mehman Aliyev, journalist

• Arif Aliyev, Chairman of the "Yeni Nəsil" (New Generation) Azerbaijan Journalists' Union

• Sabit Baghirov, President of the Foundation for Assistance to Entrepreneurship and Market Economy Development

• Adil Geybulla, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor at Azerbaijan Medical University

• Novella Jafaroglu, Chairwoman of the Dilara Aliyeva Society for the Protection of Women's Rights

• Saadat Bananyarli, Head of the Azerbaijan National Section of the International Society for Human Rights

• Saida Gojamanli, Chairwoman of the Public Union for the "Protection of Human Rights and Legality"

• Aslan Ismayilov, Director of "VISA" Law Firm

• Mirali Huseynov, Chairman of the "Learning Democracy" Public Union

The signatories expressed hope for "special consideration" for Mammadli, a recognized expert in media rights, particularly on the eve of the 150th anniversary of the National Press. They specifically requested President Aliyev to facilitate the legal means for Mammadli to undergo surgical operation at a specialized private clinic.

The "Toplum TV case" has seen criminal cases initiated against 10 individuals in total. Beyond Mammadli, those arrested include Akif Qurbanov (speaker of the III Republic Platform), Ruslan Izzatli (founding member of the same organization), Mushfig Jabbar (video editor), Farid Ismayilov (journalist), and Ali Zeynal, Ilkin Amrahov, and Ramil Babayev (employees of the Democratic Initiatives Institute). Additionally, journalist Elmir Abbasov has been placed under police surveillance, and Toplum TV editor Shahnaz Baylarqizi was initially under house arrest before being placed under police surveillance.

This case is part of a broader trend, with approximately 30 journalists and public activists arrested in groups in Azerbaijan on smuggling charges since November 2023. The Azerbaijani authorities, however, maintain that no one is persecuted for their professional or political activities, asserting that all rights and freedoms are ensured in the country. The court proceedings related to the "Toplum TV case" are currently ongoing.