Alesker Mammadli remains in custody despite the need for treatment

A Baku court has refused to ease the pretrial detention of Toplum TV founder Alesker Mammadli, who is in need of surgery.

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," on December 8, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes continued questioning witnesses in the Toplum TV case. During the hearing, the condition of the publication's founder, Alesker Mammadli, worsened and he required medical attention.

Activists called on the Azerbaijani president to facilitate Mammadli's treatment in a civilian clinic. 

On December 15, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes held another court hearing in the Toplum TV case, during which online questioning of witnesses located outside of Azerbaijan continued, Meydan TV reported on its website.

Defendant Alesker Mammadli filed a motion to be transferred to house arrest due to the need for surgery. He justified the motion by arguing that all witnesses in Azerbaijan had already been questioned, and he had no ability to influence them, as the prosecutor had previously claimed.

The state prosecutor opposed the motion, arguing that this time, Alesker Mammadli could influence the judge. As a result, the court denied the defendant's motion.

In turn, Ruslan Izzetli, an employee of the Institute of Democratic Initiatives, noted in his speech that in the medical unit of the Baku pre-trial detention center where he is being held, "there isn't even a tonometer."

"Although there is an ultrasound machine, there is no doctor. This is a facility where more than 4,000 prisoners are held," he was quoted as saying.

Ruslan Izzetli complained about the lack of medical care in the detention center.

On the eve of Ruslan Izzetli's arrest in March 2024, doctors prescribed him urgent gallbladder surgery. On November 28, 2025, Izzetli stated that he had requested an ultrasound a month earlier due to a worsening gallstone condition, but had not yet been scheduled for an appointment . He stated that he was forced to inject himself with painkillers at night due to pain. The activist believes he needs surgery, but this is impossible in pretrial detention. "There used to be a doctor named Orkhan who performed the examination. However, after he resigned, we were abandoned here to our fate," the activist stated.

As a reminder, in June 2024, the court ordered Alesker Mammadli to undergo a medical examination at a private clinic, and he underwent a biopsy at the medical center. However, doctors refused to conduct a number of tests, and security forces prevented medical workers whom Mammadli trusts and whom the court had permitted to be present from attending the procedure. Ten to twelve security officers stood by Mammadli during the procedure, and his handcuffs were removed only at the doctor's insistence.

13:37 15.12.2025

Serial arrests of journalists in Azerbaijan

Since November 2023, a series of arrests of independent media journalists has taken place in Azerbaijan, with several criminal cases opened following similar patterns. This "Caucasian Knot" report details the events that led to this new wave of repression against the independent press.

Toplum TV positions itself as an independent platform for expressing diverse opinions on socio-political and socio-economic events. Toplum TV has been operating since 2016. During the presidential elections, Toplum TV journalists published materials about violations and fraud. On February 10, Toplum TV  announced the suspension of its operations in Azerbaijan.

Journalists from other media outlets, including Abzas Media, Meydan TV, and Kanal-13, have also been persecuted in Azerbaijan. On June 20, journalists and employees of Abzas Media were sentenced to prison  terms ranging from 7.5 to 9 years. They denied the charges in court, emphasizing that they were being persecuted for their professional activities and for investigating corruption.

The number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan reached its highest level in 2024 since the country's 23-year membership in the Council of Europe, according to the Caucasian Knot report " Key Points on the Record Number of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan ." However, Azerbaijani authorities  deny the existence  of political prisoners in the country.