Investigation actively interrogates journalists and activists in "Abzas Media" case

Baku/29.11.23/Turan: The investigation continues to summon journalists and activists suspected of co-operation with "Abzas Media" online publication for questioning as witnesses.

About 10 people have already been summoned to the Baku main police department in this case. The witnesses do not disclose details of the interrogations due to the obligation not to disclose the secrecy of the investigation.

As is known, the investigation is interested in the sources of foreign funding of the publication, as well as journalistic investigations of "Abzas Media".

Recall that on 20 November, "Abzas Media" director Ulvi Hasanli and his deputy Mohammed Kekalov were detained. The next day "Abzas Media" editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgyzy was detained. All three were accused of "smuggling foreign currency" and were put in pre-trial detention for 4 months during the investigation.

The arrested persons denied the charges, Hasanli and Vagifgyzy linked the arrests to their professional journalistic activities and "Abzas Media"s investigations into corruption at the highest echelons of power. International organisations have condemned the prosecution of "Abzas Media" executives.
While the law enforcement agencies have not yet made any official statement on the "Abzas Media" case, the pro-government media tirelessly accuse independent media of "illegally receiving grants" from foreign organizations.

On November 28, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry summoned the heads of the Embassies of the United States, Germany and France, accusing them and their countries of illegally "financing" "Abzas Media". —06B-