The appellate court in Baku rejected the defense motions in the Toplum TV case.

The court in Baku rejected all eight defense motions in the Toplum TV case, including for a retrial and calling witnesses, after which conflicts arose between the defendants and the judge. The head of the Institute of Democratic Initiatives, Akif Gurbanov, was removed from the courtroom. Five other defendants refused to participate in the trial in solidarity. After that, the session was declared closed.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on September 11, the relatives of Toplum TV founder Alesker Mamedli expressed concern about the results of his examination in the pre-trial detention center. An ultrasound examination revealed changes in Mamedli's health, but the results are insufficient for a full assessment, his relatives said. The family stated the need for additional diagnostics involving specialized professionals.

A preparatory hearing in the Toplum TV case took place at the Baku Appellate Court (BAC) on September 21. As reported by an activist present at the trial, eight motions were submitted by the lawyers during the preparatory hearing, including for conducting a partial retrial, calling additional witnesses, changing the measure of restraint for the defendants until the appeal is completed, and others.

However, according to the source, the panel of judges, chaired by Judge Zafar Akhmedov, returned from the deliberation room and announced the rejection of all motions. Toplum TV founder Alesker Mamedli protested due to the non-functioning microphone in the courtroom and reminded about his health issues.

"Alesker Mamedli said that because the microphone is not working, he is forced to speak loudly. However, his health condition does not allow him to do so. Alesker Mamedli also stated that after his arrest on defamation charges, he acquired four types of chronic diseases while in detention, which are progressing and do not allow for effective treatment. As a lawyer, he urged the judges to properly fulfill their professional duties to avoid moral and legal responsibility for their current behavior in the future," the activist told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" on condition of anonymity.

According to him, there was also a verbal altercation between the presiding judge and the defendant, the head of the Institute of Democratic Initiatives (IDI), Akif Gurbanov, during the session.

"The judge's address to Gurbanov in the informal 'you' form caused his objection, and he called for politeness. In response, Gurbanov was removed from the courtroom. Another IDI member, Ruslan Izzetli, in turn, protested to the judges because of this, for which Judge Akhmedov called him rude," the activist noted.

Alesker Mamedli reacted critically to this.

"He said that the person whom the judge called 'rude' fought for the integrity of the country and was awarded a medal by the head of state for these merits. After that, five more defendants refused to participate in the session in solidarity and were removed from the courtroom. After that, the session was declared closed," the activist said.

Alesker Mamedli's lawyer Fakhraddin Mekhtiev told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" that the consolidated position of the defense is to overturn the verdict and acquit all defendants.

The lawyer of another defendant Mushvig Jabbar, Nazim Musaev, also pointed to the innocence of the accused. "The charges were not supported by material evidence and were based on subjective conclusions," he told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

An employee of the Baku Serious Crimes Court informed the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" that the next court session in this case is scheduled for October 5.

Recall that among the defendants in the Toplum TV case were the founder of the publication Alesker Mamedli, Toplum TV employees Mushvig Jabbar and Farid Ismailov, the head of the partner organization Toplum TV – the Institute of Democratic Initiatives Akif Gurbanov, and institute employees Ruslan Izzetli, Ali Zeynal, Ramil Babaev, Ilkin Amrakhov, and Elmir Abbasov. Initially, they were accused of currency smuggling, later they were charged with new accusations under six criminal articles. On June 8, the prosecutor requested sentences of 13 to 16 years for the defendants. The defense requested the acquittal of the defendants. On July 27, a verdict was announced in this case at the Baku Serious Crimes Court.

Akif Gurbanov and Ruslan Izzetli were sentenced to 15 years in prison, Alesker Mamedli and Ali Zeynalov (Ali Zeynal) to 14 years, Ramil Babaev, Mushvig Jabbar, and Ilkin Amrakhov to 13 years, Farid Ismailov to 12 years, Elmir Abbasov to 11 months and 28 days. At the same time, Abbasov was free under police supervision during the preliminary and court investigation and was taken into custody after the verdict was announced in the courtroom. The lawyers stated that they would file an appeal.