A court in Azerbaijan has convicted nine journalists and founders of a prominent independent news outlet, Toplum TV, on charges of financial crimes, sentencing them to lengthy prison terms. The convictions were announced Tuesday and have been widely denounced by international media rights organizations as an attack on press freedom and a politically motivated effort to silence critical voices.
Toplum TV founder and director Alasgar Mammadli received a 14-year prison sentence. Akif Gurbanov and Ruslan Izzetli, co-founders of the outlet, were sentenced to 15 years each. Other journalists and activists associated with Toplum TV received sentences ranging from 12 to 14 years.
The individuals were charged with illegally receiving and using Western donor funds as part of an alleged "organized criminal group." They have denied the charges. Elchin Sadigov, a lawyer representing some of the accused, stated that the court's ruling is unlawful and politically motivated, directly linked to their journalistic activities. He added that no defense motions were granted by the court and confirmed that they intend to appeal the verdicts.
Human rights organizations report that the government of President Ilham Aliyev has intensified a crackdown on dissent and freedom of speech. This campaign has targeted journalists, activists, and independent politicians, utilizing restrictive laws to suppress critical reporting. Toplum TV was one of the last remaining independent news outlets in the country, known for its investigations into official corruption and social issues. Authorities raided its offices and arrested staff members in March 2024.
The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) described the sentences as "extremely harsh" and confirmed the trial's political nature, stating it demonstrates the authorities' intent to intimidate and repress journalists. The IFJ general secretary called the verdict "pure and simple government repression and intimidation."
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the trial as bogus, characterizing it as a reflection of Azerbaijan's escalating crackdown on independent media. RSF demanded the immediate release of the convicted individuals, asserting that the Azerbaijani justice system is being exploited by President Ilham Aliyev to silence the nation's remaining independent media.
Ilham Aliyev has been the leader of Azerbaijan since 2003, succeeding his father, Heydar Aliyev. The younger Aliyev secured another term in an early election in 2024, winning with 92% of the vote. This victory followed Azerbaijani forces' swift recapture of the Karabakh region from ethnic Armenian separatists, a development that boosted his popularity. However, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe noted that the election occurred in a restrictive environment with limited political competition.