Baku: The final hearing of the criminal case against Abzas Media employees was held, APA reports. During the session at the Baku Court on Grave Crimes, presided over by Judge Rasim Sadikhov, the defendants delivered their final statements before the court announced its verdict.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the court sentenced Ulvi Hasanli and Sevinc Vagifgizi (Abbasova) to 9 years, Mahammad Kekalov to 7 years and 6 months, Nargiz Absalamova to 8 years, Hafiz Babali to 9 years, Elnara Gasimova to 8 years, and Farid Mehralizade to 9 years in prison.
The public prosecutor had previously requested prison sentences of 12 years for Ulvi Hasanli, 11 years for Sevinc Vagifgizi (Abbasova), 11 years for Mahammad Kekalov, 11 years for Nargiz Absalamova, 12 years for Hafiz Babali, 11 years for Elnara Gasimova, and 12 years for Farid Mehralizade.
On November 21, 2023, Abzas Media director Ulvi Hasanli and editor-in-chief Sevinc Vagifgizi (Abbasova) were arrested, followed by deputy director Mammad Kekalov on November 23, employee Nargiz Absalamova on December 1, journalist Hafiz Babali on December 13, and later employee Elnara Gasimova, all under charges of smuggling as a group.
The defendants were initially charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code for smuggling committed by a group. During the investigation, final charges were brought under several articles of the Criminal Code, including Article 193-1.3.2 for the legalization of criminally obtained funds or other property, committed in large amounts.