Baku: The trial concerning the ‘Meydan TV’ case has officially commenced at the Baku Grave Crimes Court. Presided over by Judge Ayten Aliyeva, the initial hearing focused on clarifying the personal details of the defendants involved in the case.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, a significant motion was granted during the proceedings, allowing the defendants to be removed from the glass enclosure and seated next to their defense lawyers in future hearings. However, a motion to terminate the criminal case was denied. Additionally, a request to replace the preventive detention measure for Aynur Elgunesh with house arrest, due to health issues, was also rejected. Similar requests from other defense lawyers seeking house arrest for their clients were denied as well.
The case, which has drawn considerable attention, is set to proceed to trial on its merits, with the first hearing scheduled for December 22. The origins of the case trace back to December of the previous year when journalists Ramin Deko, Aynur Elgunesh, Aytaj Tapdig, Natig Javadli, Khayala Aghayeva, Ulvi Tahirov, and Aysel Umudova were detained. They were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code for smuggling, allegedly committed by a group of persons acting in prior conspiracy.
Subsequent arrests in connection with the case included Arqument.az editor-in-chief Shamshad Agha in February, followed by journalists Fatima Movlamli and Nurlan Gahramanli. In March, Ulviyya Ali was placed in pretrial detention, and in August, photojournalist Ahmad Mukhtar was arrested, further expanding the scope of the case.