“Meydan TV” journalists detained in Baku

Aytaj Tapdyg, Natig Djavadly, Ramin Djabrailzade, and Khayala Agaeva, employees of the “Meydan TV” portal, have been detained this evening. The Azerbaijani police reported an investigation into the smuggling of foreign currency.

Colleagues of Ramin Deko (Djabrailzade) noted that he had just returned from Georgia, where he covered the protests in Tbilisi.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that six employees of the “Abzas Media” online publication, including Ulvi Gasanli, Sevindj Vagifgyzy, Mokhammed Kekalov, Nargiz Absalamova, Khafiz Babaly, and Elnara Gasymova, were arrested on charges of foreign currency smuggling. The pretext was the cash amount of 40,000 euros found in the editorial office. In August, all defendants in the smuggling case were charged with new economic crimes. The “Abzas Media” online publication is well-known for its anti-corruption investigations.

The editorial board of the “Meydan TV” portal called the detentions and interrogations of journalists unlawful.

“Since the beginning of our activities, our journalists have been arrested, and they themselves and their families have been subjected to persecution, pressure, and threats. Journalists collaborating with us have been unlawfully banned from leaving the country. Our website has been officially blocked in Azerbaijan since 2017 ... The goal is to form an independent media outlet in the country and bring information to people,” the “Meydan TV” portal states on its website.

Advocates of the detained journalists are not allowed to visit their clients.