Amnesty International demands urgent release of Meydan TV journalists

The international human rights organisation Amnesty International has issued a new urgent statement on the health of journalists detained in Azerbaijan. The organisation called on the Azerbaijani government to immediately and unconditionally release Meydan TV editor-in-chief Aynur Elgunesh, journalist Aytaj Tapdig and editor Shamshad Agha, as well as the other journalists detained in the “Meydan TV case”. Amnesty International considers that the journalists are being prosecuted on politically motivated charges for their independent professional work.

According to the organisation, Aynur Elgunesh, who suffers from a serious kidney condition, was transferred to the Medical Facility of the Penitentiary Service on 18 October. Although doctors recommended urgent surgery, the journalist has not yet been operated on. Citing her lawyers, the organisation says growths have also been found in the chest of the journalist, who has physical disabilities. Despite her health worsening day by day, the Baku Grave Crimes Court rejected a motion to release her to house arrest on 26 October.

Amnesty International notes that journalist Aytaj Tapdig has been unable to receive the medical care she needs for more than 22 months: suffering from a deviated nasal septum, she has been denied examination and treatment by an ear, nose and throat specialist. Shamshad Agha, who suffers from a stomach ulcer, is also said to need treatment; the organisation stressed the importance of providing him with the necessary medical care at the medical facility to which he has been transferred.

The statement also cites reports that other journalists detained in the “Meydan TV case” have been subjected to violence by police and penitentiary service officers. According to the organisation, Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva), Aysel Umudova, Khayala Aghayeva and Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) have said they were subjected to various forms of abuse, and none of these allegations has been effectively investigated. Amnesty International stressed that denial of necessary medical care may also amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

The document also draws attention to a new development in the trial: on 12 October the State Tax Service filed a civil claim totalling 79,089 manats against the 12 defendants in the case. According to the organisation, the claim does not specify each person's individual liability or how the amount demanded is divided among them. Amnesty International regards this as a further indication that the trial is not being conducted in line with fair trial standards.

The organisation recalls that since November 2023 nearly 30 journalists and media workers have been arrested in Azerbaijan. Amnesty International called on the public to send appeals to Ilham Aliyev. The appeal demands the immediate and unconditional release of the journalists, the provision of necessary medical care, an independent investigation into allegations of torture and ill-treatment, and an end to the targeting of independent media and peaceful protest through criminal prosecution. The organisation will continue the campaign until 30 January 2027.

The first arrests in the “Meydan TV case” began on 6 December 2024, and 12 people are currently on trial. The journalists are charged with smuggling and other offences. They reject the charges and link their arrests to persecution for their journalistic work on government corruption and other abuses. Earlier this year Amnesty International also issued an urgent action titled “Jailed journalists in dire health”.