Farid Mehralizadeh
The Baku Court of Appeal on 4 November considered an appeal against the arrest of economist Farid Mehralizadeh's car detained in the 'Abzas Media case', lawyer Javad Javadov said.
He said the appeal was not satisfied and the court upheld the Khatai court's decision to arrest Mehralizadeh's personal car.
The prosecution claims that he purchased the car with funds acquired through ‘criminal means’. Mehralyzadeh himself denies this allegation.
The defence submitted documents that Mehralyzadeh as head of department in a commercial bank, had annual income of 50,000 manats for 3 years, while the cost of the car with customs clearance was no more than 20, 000 manats.
The economist's wife Nargiz Mukhtarova also appealed, pointing out that the car was purchased during the joint marriage and her personal income allowed her to purchase such a car.
*Mekhralizadeh was arrested on 1 June on smuggling charges.
Subsequently, he was also charged with other economic offences.
On 6 September, Mehralizadeh's arrest was extended until 19 December.
He denies the charges and considers them fabricated. Human rights activists have recognised him as a political prisoner.
Politics
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On Saturday, December 7th, a session of the "Musavat" Party's Majlis took place. During the session, the party leader, Isa Gambar, presented a report on the current socio-political situation in the country. The Majlis also approved a decision by the party’s board to grant district organizations of "Musavat" the authority to nominate candidates for the municipal elections scheduled for January 29, 2025. The party outlined its main areas of activity for 2025. A statement was issued on the human rights situation in the country.
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The human rights organization Freedom Now has joined calls to end the pressure on independent media in Azerbaijan.
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The press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the arrests of Meydan TV employees. A statement of the organization on RSF’s X (formerly Twitter) account said: "Reporters Without Borders condemns these new arrests and calls for their immediate release, as well as the release of 13 other journalists held in disgraceful conditions on trumped-up charges."
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"I was deeply concerned to learn of the arrest of journalists working with Meydan TV. A free and independent press is a vital component of any democracy. Journalists must be able to report on issues without the fear of arrest, intimidation, or violence." This statement was posted by the UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Fergus Auld, on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday.
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