‘Toplum TV’ to continue its activities from abroad

Internet publication 'Toplum TV' has made a statement on the suspension of its activities in Azerbaijan.

‘Toplum TV', which has been operating since 2016, aims to inform citizens about the events taking place in the country and the world, guided by the principles of honest journalism.

In the reviewed period we have published thousands of materials, acting as an impartial and unbiased source of information,’ the publication said in a statement.

However, pressures on media in Azerbaijan, which have intensified over the last year and a half, has also affected 'Toplum TV'. Its founder and several employees have been arrested, criminal cases opened against them on far-fetched charges of ‘smuggling’, and other employees banned from leaving the country.

The reason for the pressure on the publication's staff is that 'Toplum TV' covers citizens' problems and gives a platform to people with different political views.

‘Unfortunately, the pressure on the media makes it impossible for 'Toplum TV' to operate in the country. Therefore, from now on 'Toplum TV' will carry out its work through journalists living outside the country. We hope that our readers will be sympathetic to this decision,’ 'Toplum TV' emphasised in a statement.

* On 6-8 March 2024, 9 journalists of 'Tolum TV' and its partner organisation Institute for Democratic Initiatives, which is also headed by Akif Gurbanov, were detained.

Seven were arrested for 4 months on smuggling charges and two placed under police supervision.

On 17 January, all were charged with six more Articles of the Criminal Code on economic crimes. Journalist Farid Ismayilov, who had been under police supervision, was also arrested.

Last week, ‘Toplum TV’ editor Shahnaz Beylargyzy was also arrested in a new case separately from the 'Toplum TV' case.