“In the detention center, they tell women that they will strip you, grab your hair and drag you” |

The editor-in-chief called the Ombudsman to the detention center

Another one of the journalists imprisoned in the criminal case related to “AbzasMedia” – the editor-in-chief of the publication, Sevinj Vagifgizi (Abbasova), has been remanded in custody.

On June 12, Khatai District Court heard the presentation of the prosecutor to extend the detention period of Sevinj Vagifgiz for another 3 months during the investigation period.

Sevinj Vagifgizi himself took part in the court proceedings chaired by judge Fuad Akhundov. The journalist said that the charge of smuggling brought against him is false, he was arrested because of investigations published in “AbzasMedia” about corrupt practices and wealth of officials, including the Aliyev family:

“The real smugglers, those who take the country’s wealth abroad, are the ones who are accused of smuggling because we investigated them.”

Sevinj Vagifqizi also spoke about cases of torture and ill-treatment of women in the Baku Pre-trial Detention Center where she was detained. The journalist said that because the deputy head of the detention center, the head of the regime and other officials publicized the illegalities against the female prisoners, telephone conversations with his family members were banned.

Emphasizing that the right to telephone calls is illegally restricted, Sevinj Vagifqizi says that in the Baku Pre-trial Detention Center, women are threatened with undressing and dragging them by the hair.

The journalist asked Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva to come to the detention center in Kurdakhani immediately and take an interest in the situation.

In the court, the investigator defended Sevinj Vagifqizi’s motion to extend the period of detention and the prosecutor’s presentation. While justifying his petition, he said that a number of investigative actions should be carried out on the “AbzasMedia” case. While the investigation continues, Sevinj Vagifgiz’s freedom may hinder the progress of the process. According to the investigator, if he remains free, there is a possibility to establish contact with other participants of the process and influence the witnesses.

The lawyer of the journalist said that this argument is baseless. The lawyer said that his client has not committed any crime and is still being detained without legal grounds. Even if he is under investigation, his detention is not guaranteed. If Sevinj Vagifqizi wanted to evade the investigation, he would not have returned to the country. When the arrests related to “AbzasMedia” began, he was on a trip to a foreign country.

After a short consultation, Judge Fuad Akhundov granted the prosecutor’s presentation and extended Sevinj Vagifqizi’s pretrial detention for another 3 months.

On June 11, the Khatai District Court made the same decision about journalist Nargiz Absalamova, and the term of her detention was extended for another 3 months.

On June 10, the period of detention of Hafiz Babali and Elnara Gasimova, among the other journalists imprisoned in connection with the “AbzasMedia” case, was extended.

Arrests in the “AbzasMedia” case, known for its corruption investigations, began on November 20. First, the site’s director Ulvi Hasanli, deputy director Mahammad Kekalov, and editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifqizi were arrested. Later, arrests continued with investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova. They are also charged with Article 206.3.2 (smuggling by a group of persons) of the Criminal Code.

The sanction of this article provides for imprisonment from 5 to 8 years.

After Ulvi Hasanli was detained on November 20, the office of “AbzasMedia” was searched. It was claimed that 40,000 euros were found in the site’s office.

Ulvi Hasanli said that there was no money there, that 40,000 euros were deposited in the office by those who claimed to have found it.

None of the named journalists plead not guilty, “AbzasMedia” said that a number of officials, including members of the President’s family, were punished for investigations related to business and corruption.

After “AbzasMedia”, the managers and employees of “Kanal 13” internet channel, “Toplum TV” news portal and internet television of the same name, “meclis.info” website, which investigates the activities of the Milli Majlis and deputies, were also arrested on charges of smuggling. It is alleged that these media organizations received grants from foreign organizations and smuggled those funds into the country.

However, the journalists deny this accusation and state that they were arrested without any evidence related to smuggling. They stated that the purpose of these arrests is to silence media organizations that investigate corruption and official arbitrariness in the country and inform the public.