Accusations against the Toplum TV Case Defendants Aggravated

The preliminary investigation in the case of the Toplum TV publication (journalists and activists) is coming to an end, reported Rasul Jafarov, the lawyer of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives, Ruslan Izzatli.

As a result of the investigation, the charges against the defendants have been aggravated. Previously, they were accused only under Article 206.3.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code (smuggling by prior agreement), but now they face additional charges under six more articles:

• Article 162-1 (Hiring workers without a labor contract);5
• Article 192.3.2 (Illegal entrepreneurship with significant income);
• Article 193-1.3.1 (Money laundering obtained by criminal means by an organized group);
• Article 193-1.3.2 (The same actions committed on a large scale);
• Article 206.4 (Smuggling by an organized group);
• Article 213.2.1 (Tax evasion by an organized group).

These new charges echo the accusations against the journalists from Abzas Media. What is new is that the defendants in the Toplum TV case are also facing charges under Article 162.1.

It should be noted that while the previous charges carried a maximum sentence of 8 years in prison, the new charges could lead to a maximum sentence of 12 years.

It is important to recall that on March 6-8, 2024, nine journalists from Toplum TV and its partner organization, the Institute for Democratic Initiatives, were arrested. Seven of them were placed under preliminary detention for 4 months, while two were placed under police supervision.