A high-profile criminal case involving ten individuals linked to Meydan TV is set to go to trial in Baku later this month.
Materials collected during the preliminary investigation by the Baku City Police Department have been forwarded to the Baku Court for Serious Crimes.
According to Qafqazinfo, the case will be heard by a judicial panel chaired by Judge Ayten Aliyeva. The first hearing is scheduled for December 12.
The defendants include journalists Aynur Elgünəş, Natiq Cavadlı, Ramin Deko, Khayala Agayeva, Aytaj Tapdıg, Aysel Umudova, Shamshad Agha, Fatime Movlamli, Nurlan Libre, and Ulviya Ali.
They face several serious charges, including Article 206.3.2 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code – smuggling committed by a group of individuals acting in prior agreement – as well as additional related counts.
The Interior Ministry previously reported that Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade) had been detained on suspicion of illegally bringing foreign currency into the country. No formal statements have yet been issued regarding the other journalists.
Note from international observers
A number of international media freedom organizations and observers have commented on the case, suggesting it may raise concerns about press freedom and the broader environment for independent journalism in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani authorities, however, insist the charges are strictly criminal in nature and unrelated to journalistic activity.
Lawyers representing seven of the accused confirm that the case against them was opened under Article 206.3.2, which carries enhanced penalties for alleged group-based smuggling.
