The prosecutor has requested lengthy prison terms for the defendants in the Toplum TV case.

At the Toplum TV trial in Baku, the state prosecutor requested lengthy prison sentences ranging from 13 to 16 years.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," the activists and journalists arrested in the Toplum TV case, initially accused of currency smuggling, were charged in January with six new criminal offenses. They face up to 12 years in prison. Toplum TV positioned itself as an independent platform for expressing diverse opinions on socio-political and socio-economic events. On February 10, Toplum TV announced the suspension of its operations in Azerbaijan.

The state prosecutor made his closing arguments today at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. The prosecutor requested 16 years' imprisonment for Akif Gurbanov and Ruslan Izzetli, 15 years' imprisonment for Alesker Mammadli and Ali Zeynal (Ali Zeynalov), 14 years' imprisonment for Mushfig Jabbar, Ilkin Amrakhov, and Ramil Babayev, and 13 years' imprisonment for Farid Ismailov and Elmir Abbasov, an activist present at the trial told a Caucasian Knot correspondent. "These are harsh sentences even by Azerbaijani standards. For comparison, Abzas Media journalists were given a maximum sentence of 9 years' imprisonment for similar charges. Repressive measures are simply being tightened, and this is against the backdrop of the virtual disappearance of any opposition activity or free media in the country," said the activist, who did not wish to publish his name.

Alesker Mammadli's lawyer, Fakhraddin Mehdiyev, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the defense will insist on an acquittal. "The charges against Alesker Mammadli are not based on reliable evidence. His income was completely legal, his activities were carried out under service contracts, and taxes were paid regularly. Bank accounts and transfers confirm the legality of the funds," Mehdiyev said.

Lawyers for three other defendants also stated that the defense's consolidated position is to request the court to acquit the accused.

An employee of the Baku Court of Grave Crimes confirmed the information about the sentences requested by the state prosecutor for the accused. He added that the prosecutor also proposed disqualifying the defendants from holding positions in state and municipal government for three years after their release.

A court representative said the next hearing is scheduled for June 22.