Human rights defenders condemn detention of "Meydan TV" journalists

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned the detention of "Meydan TV" employees Ainur Elgunesh, Aitadj Tapdyg, Khayal Agaev, Aisel Umudova, Natig Djavadli and the freelance journalist Ramin Deko by Azerbaijani authorities.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 6, the "Meydan TV" journalists Aitadj Tapdyg, Natik (Natig) Djavadli, Ramin Djabrailzade (Deko) and Agaev were detained in Baku. The Azerbaijani police reported an investigation into the case of foreign currency smuggling against Djabrailzade and the detention of several other people. It was later reported that Aisel Umudova was also detained. The editorial board has treated the journalists' detentions and interrogations as illegal. The journalists' advocates are not allowed to see their clients; and the journalists' homes have been searched. The detainees link the criminal case against them to their professional activities.

The detention of journalists after the UN COP29 Climate Conference in Baku demonstrates the intention of Azerbaijani authorities to continue persecuting media professionals, and is also a slap in the face to the UN and the democratic governments that have only recently visited Baku. This was stated by Gulnoza Said, the CPJ's Europe and Central Asia Programme Coordinator.

Over the past year, Azerbaijani authorities have charged at least 15 journalists with serious criminal offenses in retaliation for their work, the CPJ has emphasized.

Let us remind you that over the past year, journalists from the "Abzas" Media, "Toplum TV" and "Kanal-13", as well as the head of the "Meclis.info" online platform, have been arrested in Azerbaijan on charges of smuggling.