Employees of Omudsman met with journalists and activists in the detention center

It is reported that the meeting was held confidentially

Members of the National Preventive Group (MPG) under the Ombudsman of Azerbaijan visited journalists and activists in the Baku Detention Center No. 1.

The information was released on May 8 by the press service of the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner.

It was reported that during the visit, which was also attended by a medical member of the MPG, he met with the people detained in the institution, including lawyer Alasgar Mammadli, member of the Board of Directors of the “III Republic” Platform Ruslan Izzatli, journalists Avaz Zeynalli, Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Abbasova, Nargiz Absalamova, Elnara Gasimova. , Hafiz Babaly, Imran Aliyev and Teymur Karimov had confidential meetings:

“The conditions of their detention and their health status were examined, and their appeals were heard.”

Arrested on November 21, 2023, Sevinj Vagifgizin was charged under Article 206.3.2 (smuggling) of the Criminal Code.

He does not accept the accusations, saying that his arrest was related to his journalistic activities.

Since the end of last year, more than 10 journalists have been arrested in Azerbaijan.

In the “AbzasMedia” case, the site’s director Ulvi Hasanli, deputy director, social activist Mahammad Kekalov, and editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifqizi 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 5 to 8 years of imprisonment.

Journalists associate their arrests with purely professional activities.

On March 6, the police raided the office of “Toplum TV” and searched the office, the homes of several employees of the site, including the office of the Third Republican Platform.

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

On March 8, lawyer Alasgar Mammadli, one of the founders of “Toplum TV”, was detained by plain clothes in front of the “Istanbul” Clinic.

On the same day, the police also detained Ruslan Izzatli, a member of the Founding Committee of the Third Republican Platform.

Both houses were searched. It was claimed that 7300 dollars were found in Alasgar Mammadli’s house.

Ruslan Izzatli’s wife Gunel Manafli noted that “money was found” in their house.

Among those detained in connection with this case are Alasgar Mammadli (founder of Toplum TV), Mushfiq Jabbar (“Toplum TV”), Akif Gurbanov (III Republican Platform), Ruslan Izzateli (III Republican Platform), Ramil Babayev (Institute of Democratic Initiatives), Ilkin Amrahov (Institute of Democratic Initiatives), Ali Zeynal (Institute of Democratic Initiatives) were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling – when committed by a group of persons who conspired in advance).

They consider the accusation to be false.

Avaz Zeynalli was arrested on September 10 last year on charges of bribery.

This accusation is related to Rasim Mammadov, the former head of “Baku Steel Company” LLC – steelmaking plant.

The head of Khural TV is accused of receiving 20,000 manats from the family of Rasim Mammadov, who has been in prison since January 2021, in order not to spread materials against him.

Another episode in the criminal case is related to the claim of receiving money from the management of “Azeryolservis” OJSC.

However, Avaz Zeynalli denies these accusations and pleads not guilty.