Prosecutor Seeks Up to 16 Years in Prison for Defendants in the Toplum TV Case
On 8 June, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes concluded the judicial investigation phase in the criminal case against journalists and civil society representatives associated with “Toplum TV.”
During the hearing, chaired by Judge Azer Tagiyev, the state prosecutor requested prison sentences ranging from 13 to 16 years for the defendants.
The prosecutor asked the court to sentence Akif Gurbanov, spokesperson of the Third Republic Platform, and Ruslan Izzatli, a member of the organization’s founding board, to 16 years in prison. Fifteen-year sentences were requested for Alasgar Mammadli, co-founder of Toplum TV, and Ali Zeynalov, an employee of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives.
The prosecution further requested 14-year prison terms for Ramil Babayev, Ilkin Amrahov, and Mushfig Jabbarov, while seeking 13-year sentences for journalists Farid Ismayilov and Elmir Abbasov.
In addition to imprisonment, the prosecutor requested that the defendants be prohibited from holding certain positions for up to three years and that their seized houses and vehicles be confiscated.
The prosecution also called for journalist Elmir Abbasov to be taken into custody directly in the courtroom. Abbasov is currently subject to a police supervision measure rather than pre-trial detention.
The next court hearing has been scheduled for 22 June.
A total of ten individuals have been prosecuted in connection with the “Toplum TV case.” Among them are Akif Gurbanov, Ruslan Izzatli, Alasgar Mammadli, video editor Mushfig Jabbarov, journalist Farid Ismayilov, and employees of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives, including Ali Zeynalov, Ilkin Amrahov, and Ramil Babayev. Journalist Elmir Abbasov remains under police supervision, while Toplum TV editor Shahnaz Baylergizi was initially placed under house arrest before being transferred to police supervision.
The defendants were initially charged with smuggling-related offenses. However, the charges were later expanded and made more severe during the course of the investigation.
All defendants reject the accusations against them and maintain that the case is politically motivated and that they have been prosecuted in retaliation for their journalistic and civic activities.
The case has attracted significant attention from local and international human rights organizations, which have expressed concerns about media freedom, due process, and the broader environment for independent journalism and civil society in Azerbaijan.