Employees of “AbzasMedia” were not released to house arrest

Jthe journalists deny the accusation and say that they were arrested for writing about corruption

The lawyers of the journalists imprisoned in the criminal case related to “AbzasMedia” – the publication’s founder Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi (Abbasova) and employee Elnara Gasimova – filed a petition again to release them under house arrest.

The petitions were heard on July 3 in the Khatai District Court.

The trial of each of the journalists was held separately.

During the court proceedings, the investigator of the Baku City Chief Police Department objected to their being placed under house arrest.

He said that the investigation is not over, and if they are released from prison, they can hinder the progress of the process.

Both Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifgizi, and Elnara Gasimova said in court that the charges of smuggling brought against them were false, and that they were arrested because of investigations in “AbzasMedia” about the corrupt practices of the ruling family and other officials.

They also emphasized that they do not expect a fair decision from the court.

Their lawyers also said that they have no reason to keep them in prison. However, judge Sulhane Hajiyeva did not grant the petitions – the mentioned journalists were not released to house arrest this time either.

Lawyers will file an appeal against the decision of the Khatai District Court.

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 reject 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.