“Ilham Aliyev’s dictatorship is destroying journalism” |

International organizations reacted to the pressure on Toplum TV

There have been reactions from international organizations and some countries to the search of Toplum TV’s office, the arrest of its employees, as well as the opening of a criminal case against them.

Great Britain expressed its deep concern about the arrest of Toplum TV journalists and a member of the “III Respublika” political movement.

In the information shared by the British Embassy in Azerbaijan on the “X” platform, it was called to protect the freedom of expression and fundamental human rights of everyone, including media representatives arrested in the country.

Matthew Miller, the spokesman of the US State Department, also made a statement and said that the Azerbaijani authorities arrest journalists, civil society activists and opposition figures in order to intimidate, oppress and punish them:

“We strongly object to this. We call on Azerbaijan to end the persecution of those who use their fundamental freedoms and to release all persons unjustly arrested in politically motivated cases.”.

“Amnesty International”, “Human Rights Watch”, “Reporters Without Borders” called on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release the journalists and drop the charges against them:

“We are angry about the search of Toplum TV and the arrest of several employees who cannot be contacted at this time”.

“Ilham Aliyev’s dictatorship is destroying journalism”– said Janna Cavelye from the “Reporters Without Borders” organization.

On March 6, the police raided the office of “Toplum TV” and searched the house of several employees of the site. It was reported that 30,000 euros were found in the office, and 2,700 and 3,100 euros were found in the employees’ homes.

Akif Gurbanova, Farid Ismayilova, Mushfiq Jabbara, Ali Zeynala, Ramil Babayeva, Elmir Abbasova and Ilkin Amrahova were charged with 206.3.2 (smuggling).

Since the end of last year, about 10 journalists have been arrested or detained in Azerbaijan. Most of those arrested are employees of “AbzasMedia” website. Several employees of the “Kanal 13” website are also in prison on various charges.

Arrests in the “AbzasMedia” case began on November 20, 2023. First, the site’s director Ulvi Hasanli, deputy director, social activist Mahammad Kekalov, and editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi were arrested.

After that, investigative journalist Hafiz Babaly, reporters Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova were arrested.

Each of them is charged with Article 206.3.2 (smuggling by a group of persons) of the Criminal Code. With this article, they are sentenced to imprisonment from 5 to 8 years.

Journalists associate their arrests with purely professional activities.