Court sentences “Abzas Media” professionals to long prison terms

The journalists and employees of the Azerbaijani online outlet “Abzas Media” have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 7.5 to 9 years. They denied the charges in court, emphasizing that they are prosecuted for their professional activities and investigation into corruption cases.

On June 20, a Baku court convicted the figurants in the “Abzas Media” case. The outlet's director, Ulvi Gasanli, the editor-in-chief Sevindj Vagifgyzy, an investigative journalist, Khafiz Babaly, and an economist, Farid Mekhralizade, were sentenced to 9 years of freedom deprivation each.

The reporters, Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasymova were sentenced to 8 years each; and Mokhammed Kekalov, the outlet’s translator, was sentenced to 7.5 years of freedom deprivation.

Prior the verdicts were announced, the defendants denied the charges and stated that they were arrested for their professional activities and investigating corruption.

This was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 20, 2025 at 03:32 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.