The Electronic Security Service reports that “Abzas Media” has been blocked by a court order
The institution noted that decisions should be enforced in the country
The “Abzas Media” publication, with six employees in prison, issued a statement saying that access to its website and all social media pages was blocked by a court order. The website management said that this happened without any warning.
It was noted in the information that the head of the Electronic Security Service under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, Samir Rasulov, said this in response to the request of the defenders involved in the “Abzas Media case”. Samir Rasulov noted that according to Article 64.1 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the effective decisions, instructions, calls and other legal appeals of the body implementing the criminal process are mandatory for all state bodies, individuals and legal entities, and must be executed unconditionally in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The head of the service said that the Internet information resources of the “Abzas Media” online media portal were limited according to the decision of the Yasamal District Court of Baku on November 29, 2023.
Abzas Media director Ulvi Hasanliv and his deputy Muhammed Kekalov, who is known for corruption investigations, were killed on November 20 last year, editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifqizi on November 21, reporter Nargiz Absalamova on November 30, and investigative journalist Hafiz Babaly on December 13. , and journalist Elnara Gasimova was detained on January 13. They were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling, when committed by a group of persons who colluded in advance), and preventive measures were taken against them.
The journalists deny the accusations and link their arrests to corruption investigations published in “Abzas Media”. Many local and international organizations considered those arrested in this case to be political prisoners and called on the authorities to release the journalists immediately. Representatives of the authorities have always said that no one has been arrested in the country for their actions, words, or political views.