The court rejected Nargiz Absalamova's complaint
On February 9, the Sabunchi District Court of Baku rejected the complaint of journalist Nargiz Absalamova, who was forbidden to call her lawyer. Absalamova is one of 6 journalists of the online publication "Abzas Media" arrested on charges of money smuggling. According to lawyer Shahla Humbatova, the ban was imposed by the leadership of the pre-trial detention center, although the investigative body banned the journalist only from meetings and contacts with her family. Today's court session was held without Absalamova herself.
*On November 20 last year, the director of “Abzas Media” Ulvi Hasanli was detained. On the same day, his house and the office of "Abzas-media" were searched, where the police "found" 40 thousand euros.
On the same day, Mohammed Kekalov, Deputy director of “Abzas Media,” was detained, and on November 21, Sevinj Vagifqizi, editor-in-chief, was arrested. Later, journalist Nargiz Absalamova was arrested, and on December 13, investigative journalist Hafiz Babaly was arrested. All of them were charged under the Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling by a group of persons by conspiracy) and face from 5 to 8 years in prison.
International journalistic organizations have called on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release the detained journalists and stop pressure on independent media.
Politics
-
Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who arrived in Baku today, held a press conference at the COP29 climate conference. When asked about the arrested climate activists and opposition figures in Azerbaijan, she stated that Germany advocates for the release of government critics and that she would raise this issue during her meeting with Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister. She specifically mentioned the name of Professor Gubad Ibadoglu, a doctor from Dresden University.
-
On November 21, climate activists held a series of protests at the COP29 climate conference in Baku. The main themes of the protests included nuclear weapons testing, animal killings, protection of rivers and water bodies, and environmental pollution.
-
The General Assembly of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) adopted a resolution on Friday reaffirming its commitment to democratic reforms, regional stability, and European integration amidst escalating geopolitical tensions driven by Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
-
Activist Nijat Ibrahim, who was detained in Baku pre-trial detention center-1, inflicted numerous wounds on himself on November 20 in protest against unjustified criminal prosecution, his wife Parvin Ibrahim told Turan. According to her, on November 21, her husband called her and informed her that the day before he had inflicted incised wounds on himself with a piece of mirror. In particular, he cut his throat and ears.
Leave a review