Azerbaijan courts jail Toplum TV journalists up to 15 years
A Baku court sentenced nine journalists, media workers and activists linked to the independent online outlet Toplum TV, the Institute for Democratic Initiatives and the Third Republic Platform to prison terms ranging from 12 to 15 years. The verdict was read on July 27, 2026, and the sentences include 15 years for co‑founder Akif Gurbanov and Third Republic Platform co‑founder Ruslan Izzetli, 14 years for co‑founder Alasgar Mammadli and IDI trainer Ali Zeynal, and 12 years for reporter Farid Ismayilov and social‑media manager Elmir Abbasov. Defendants were convicted of forming an "organized criminal group" that illegally received and used Western donor funds, with additional charges of money laundering, tax evasion and document forgery. The court also ordered a two‑and‑half‑year ban on certain jobs and seized the defendants' assets. Defense lawyers called the trial politically motivated and said they will appeal. International press‑freedom organisations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Federation of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, condemned the sentences as harsh and a breach of media freedom. The case follows a broader crackdown on independent media in Azerbaijan after the 2024 military recapture of Nagorno‑Karabakh.
Entities: Akif Gurbanov · Alasgar Mammadli · Azerbaijan · Elchin Sadigov · Ilham Aliyev · Institute for Democratic Initiatives · Toplum TV
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The defendants were charged with illegal receipt and use of foreign donor funds as part of an organized criminal group. (multiple)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Defense lawyers say the trial was politically motivated and the defendants will appeal. (multiple)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The court ordered seizure of the defendants' assets and a 2.5‑year ban on certain jobs. (multiple)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ruslan Izzetli received a 15‑year prison sentence. (multiple)
- [● 4 SOURCES] A Baku court sentenced nine individuals linked to Toplum TV to prison terms of 12 to 15 years on July 27, 2026. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Alasgar Mammadli received a 14‑year prison sentence. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] International press‑freedom organisations (CPJ, IFJ, Reporters Without Borders) condemned the sentences. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Akif Gurbanov received a 15‑year prison sentence. (multiple)