Published • loading... • Updated
Azerbaijan court convicts 9 journalists and activists in a case seen as an attack on media freedom
International media groups said the case was politically driven as the court sentenced nine Toplum TV journalists and activists to prison terms of 12 to 15 years.
- On Tuesday, an Azerbaijan court in Baku sentenced nine journalists and activists from Toplum to prison terms ranging from 12 to 15 years. Founder Alasgar Mammadli received 14 years, while co-founders Akif Gurbanov and Ruslan Izzetli were given 15-year terms.
- Prosecutors charged the group with illegally receiving Western donor funds to operate an "organized criminal group." President Ilham Aliyev has systematically silenced the country's last remaining independent media outlets, targeting journalists reporting on corruption and social problems.
- Defense lawyer Elchin Sadigov told The Associated Press the verdict is an "unlawful and political motivated court ruling" linked to their journalism. He noted "not a single defense motion has been granted by the court" during proceedings.
- International rights groups including the EFJ-IFJ and RSF denounced the verdicts as "pure and simple government repression and intimidation." They described the trial as a "bogus" effort to stifle critical voices in the oil-rich Caspian Sea nation.
- Aliyev, who has led Azerbaijan since 2003, secured a 2024 re-election with 92% of the vote. His administration solidified power by reclaiming the Karabakh region, further marginalizing dissent in a nation of 10 million people.
Insights by Ground AI
17 Articles
17 Articles
Azerbaijan court convicts nine journalists and activists in a case seen as attack on media freedom
AP – A court in Azerbaijan has convicted nine journalists and founders of a top independent news outlet on charges of financial crimes and sentenced them to prison in what international media rights groups denounced Tuesday as a politically driven case to stifle critical voices in the oil-rich Caspian Sea nation.
·Jamaica
Read Full Article
Associated Press News+14 Reposted by 14 other sources
Azerbaijan court convicts 9 journalists and activists in a case seen as an attack on media freedom
An Azerbaijan court has convicted nine journalists and founders of a top independent news outlet on financial crime charges and sentenced them to prison.
·New York, United States
Read Full Article
On July 27, an Azerbaijani court found a group of independent journalists and NGO activists guilty of “smuggling.” Press defenders called the case political, aimed at stifling the media.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left8Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution53% Left
Bias Distribution
- 53% of the sources lean Left
53% Left
L 53%
C 40%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
