Supreme Court Upholds Sentences of Journalists in Abzas Media Case

The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan has rejected the cassation appeals of journalists arrested in connection with the “Abzas Media case,” leaving the previous court rulings in force.

At the latest court hearing chaired by Judge Zaur Huseynov, the court also reviewed cassation appeals filed by other defendants in the case — journalists Hafiz Babali, Sevinc Vaqifqizi, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova.

As the female journalists from Abzas Media did not attend the hearing, they were represented by their lawyers during the proceedings. Since November 2023, several journalists associated with Abzas Media have been detained. Those arrested include Abzas Media director Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief Sevinc Vaqifqizi, project coordinator Mohammad Kekalov, investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, journalists Elnara Gasimova and Nargiz Absalamova, as well as Farid Mehralizade, an economist and contributor to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

They were charged with smuggling and other serious financial crimes. The journalists deny the accusations and state that the criminal prosecution is linked to their professional activities.

Local and international human rights organizations have called for the journalists’ release.

The preliminary investigation and court proceedings lasted nearly two years.

On June 20, 2025, the Baku Court for Serious Crimes, presided over by Judge Rasim Sadiqov, issued the following sentences:

Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinc Vaqifqizi, Hafiz Babali, and Farid Mehralizade — 9 years in prison Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova — 8 years in prison Mohammad Kekalov — 7 years and 6 months in prison

On September 9, 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld the verdict. On April 3, 2026, the Supreme Court also rejected the cassation appeals, leaving the previous rulings unchanged.