Searches in the flats of MeydanTV journalists (UPDATED)

In the evening of 6 December, a search was conducted in the flat of detained Meydan TV journalist Natig Javadli in Sumgayit. This was reported by his relatives.

"Natig himself was attended during the search. The police first searched the cupboard and dumped all the books from there and checked the pages. Then they searched the bedroom. They took Natig's computer and a couple of his old flash cards. 

We only had 90 manat (about 54 US dollars) at home. They didn't take any money. The search lasted about 2 hours. They even checked the memory of the children's computers," said a relative of the journalist.

A search was also conducted at the flat of another journalıst from MeydanTV. Aynur Elgunesh. 

"Aynur had the keys to the flat. When we came to her home everything was overturned. Most likely she herself was present during the search as the door of the flat had not been broken in. 

We don't know what they collected," a close relative of the journalist told Turan. 

The flats of some other detained MeydanTV journalists were also searched.

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2024-12-06 23:22

Aynur Elgunesh was called an ambulance by the city police

An ambulance was called to the Baku city police headquarters late in the evening for the Meydan TV journalist detained today.

This was reported by her relatives.

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2024-12-06 22:26

Lawyers are not allowed to see Meydan TV journalists

Lawyer Nazim Musayev was not allowed to defend Meydan TV journalist Khayali Agayeva.

As the lawyer told journalists, an officer with the rank of captain who introduced himself as investigator Nahid Abbasly escorted him to the office where the journalist was.

He first took a photo of the lawyer's warrant. When they entered the office, he then sent the photo of the warrant to someone. After that, he told the lawyer that his warrant allegedly had "not today's date" and did not allow Musayev to defend Agayeva.

Musayev assessed the actions of the investigator as "arbitrariness".

Agayeva managed to report that they took explanatory notes and testimony from her, and that certain investigative actions were carried out with her before the lawyer arrived.

The other detained journalists are also not allowed lawyers.

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2024-12-06 22:23

Meydan TV stated that the detention of the publication's employees was unfounded

Meydan TV stated that the detention of the publication's employees and the alleged charges against them were unfounded.

As stated in a statement issued by the editorial office based in Berdlin, on December 6, some of the publication's employees in Azerbaijan stopped communicating from 13:00.
During the search, it was established that they were being held at the Baku police headquarters.

In particular, Aynur Gambarova (Aynur Elgunesh), Aytaj Akhmedova (Aytaj Tapdyg), Khayala Agayeva, Natig Javadli, Aysel Umudova and freelance journalist Ramin Jebrailzade (Ramin Deko) were taken there.

The homes of some of these journalists were searched, their personal equipment and belongings were seized.

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that Ramin Jabrailzade (Deko) was detained by the police "based on information received in connection with the illegal import of foreign currency into the country." The Ministry of Internal Affairs also noted that several people were detained as part of the investigation.

It should be noted that Ramin Deko operates as an independent reporter," the Meydan TV statement continued.

The publication's management states that the detention and interrogation of Meydan TV journalists is illegal. "We reject all accusations. From the very beginning of Meydan TV's activities, our journalists have been arrested, pressure has been put on them and their family members, they have been threatened. Journalists collaborating with us have been banned from leaving the country. Our website has been officially blocked in Azerbaijan since 2017. The channel's social media accounts have repeatedly been subject to cyberattacks, information and materials have been deleted. Meydan TV has been covering events in the country, citizens' problems, and trying to publicize their complaints and appeals since its foundation," the statement continues.

The goal of the project is to form an independent and alternative media outlet in the country that objectively informs citizens.

"The pressure on us and the accusations that have been made since the very beginning of our activities are unfounded and we will continue our journalistic activities," the statement concludes.

Meanwhile, it has become known that animal rights activist Kamran Mammadli has not been in touch since 15:00.

He held a protest against the shooting of street dogs during COP29 and was detained at the conference venue.