The new composition of the court rejected the defense's motions in the case of Meydan TV.

The trial of Meydan TV has resumed in the Baku Serious Crimes Court after a change in the composition of judges. The defendants reported procedural violations, the defense requested a mitigation of the preventive measure and drew attention to the health condition of the accused, but the court rejected these requests. The court also began a new judicial investigation and continued interrogations, including that of photojournalist Ahmed Mukhtar, who denied any connection to Meydan TV.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on May 22, the hearing in the case of Meydan TV was disrupted after journalist Khayala Agaeva spoke out about the political motives behind the persecution of the publication's employees and reminded about corruption scandals involving Azerbaijani politicians. In Azerbaijan, the composition of judges in the case of Meydan TV has been completely replaced. Lawyers believe that this may lead to a renewal of the judicial investigation.

The court resumed consideration of the case of Meydan TV

On July 3, the trial of Meydan TV resumed in the Baku Serious Crimes Court after a break of more than a month and a half. The break was caused by a complete change in the composition of judges considering the case. The judicial investigation continued under the chairmanship of Judge Zaur Tagiyev and with two other judges, Azer Tagiyev and Roman Alekperli.

As reported to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" by an activist observing the hearing on July 3, Judge Gadzhiev introduced the participants to the new composition of judges, as well as the new state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev.

One of the defendants, the editor-in-chief of the site arqument.az Shamshad Aga, stated that the new composition of judges violated procedural norms from the very beginning. According to Aga, the defendants in the pre-trial detention center were not notified of the change of judges.

“Shamshad Aga also pointed out that one of the new judges, Azer Tagiyev, has a reputation as a "judge in political cases." In particular, he is considering the case of journalists from Toplum TV and will soon issue sentences based on the prosecutor's proposal for severe penalties. Another judge, Roman Alekperli, is also handling the "political case" of the head of the Meclis.info platform, Imran Aliyev. As for the presiding judge Zaur Gadzhiev, Shamshad Aga noted that he was only transferred from the military court and called him a "debutant" in political processes,” the activist further noted.

The defense and defendants' motions were left unsatisfied

Defendant Ramin Deko (Jebrailzade) requested the seizure of video recordings from the surveillance cameras of the Baku airport and their examination in court.

“Ramin pointed out that since the case was transferred to the new composition of the court, the judges should start with the episode that initiated the arrests in this case. Ramin Deko indicated that on December 6, 2024, when returning from Tbilisi, he had 8,000 euros, but upon detention at the airport, this amount was recorded as 38,000 euros, which exceeds the allowable limit for bringing money without declaration. Ramin said that this fact alone is enough to confirm the falsification of the case,” the source continued.

Subsequently, the lawyers requested to transfer the journalists to house arrest until a verdict is reached, taking into account their health conditions and family circumstances.

At the same time, lawyer Zibeyda Sadigova pointed out that the editor-in-chief of Meydan TV, Aynur Elgyunesh, has serious health problems; she is disabled and has undergone 17 surgeries.

“Shamshad Aga has lost more than three close relatives - a mother, a sister, a niece, during a year and a half of detention. The lawyer noted that journalist Natig Javadly is the father of three children, and another of her clients, Fatima Movlamly, is a young journalist. Zibeyda Sadigova said that initially, her clients were charged with smuggling, and it was based on this charge that the preventive measure of arrest was chosen. At the same time, she drew attention to the selectivity of Azerbaijani judges, who show humanity when it comes to high-ranking officials and businessmen. For example, a defendant in a high-profile smuggling case at the "Govsan" seaport, an entrepreneur with 5.5 million manat, the nephew of the head of the Azerbaijani presidential secretariat, Beylar Eyubov - Ruslan Eyubov, was transferred to house arrest shortly after his arrest (this was reported by haqqin.az on June 5 - note from "Caucasian Knot"). The lawyer proposed to extend this "positive practice" to the accused journalists,” the source continued.

Other lawyers also pointed out the need to change the preventive measures for their clients due to serious family circumstances and health problems.

However, the court, taking into account the prosecutor's objections, did not satisfy the motions for transferring the defendants to house arrest.

Defendant Aytaj Tapdyg proposed to prepare a video to familiarize the new composition of the court with the activities of Meydan TV and to demonstrate it in court.

Lawyer Sadigova also submitted a motion to resolve the issue of issuing a power of attorney for the family members of journalist Javadly.

“It is necessary to issue a power of attorney for obtaining a foreign passport and traveling abroad for the minor daughter of Natig Javadly. Previously, the previous composition of the court satisfied this motion. However, due to a mistake in the spelling of names, the notary refused to carry out the procedure. The lawyer asked to resolve this issue,” the activist observing the process said further.

Another motion by lawyer Sadigova concerned the lack of conditions in the Baku Serious Crimes Court for satisfying the natural needs of persons with disabilities. The defender noted that individuals with disabilities held in the courthouse face difficulties in this regard. The lawyer proposed to install special portable toilets for persons with disabilities in the court. In response, Judge Gadzhiev promised to resolve this issue before the next court session.

After that, Judge Gadzhiev announced the beginning of a new judicial investigation and ruled to consider the indictment read, given that the previous prosecutor had already read it to the defendants. The statements of the defendants, who had already testified to the court, were also accepted as valid.

Next, photojournalist Ahmed Mukhtar testified, stating that he had no connection to Meydan TV and only brought a fee for Aynur Elgyunesh from Tbilisi, with whom he has had a friendly relationship for a long time. Mukhtar said that in December 2024, he was interrogated in this case, then administratively arrested for 20 days, and in August 2025, he was arrested in this case.

The next court session was scheduled for July 24.

The change of the court composition is unlikely to affect the decision

According to an expert in the field of law monitoring judicial processes against journalists, the change of the composition in the case of Meydan TV could be a "tactical move."

“The previous presiding judge, Aytan Aliyeva, from the very beginning entered into confrontation with the accused journalists, interrupting them and addressing them informally. This further escalated the tension in the hall, the judge's actions pushed journalists to make more severe statements, criticizing corruption in the country. The judge ultimately lost control of the process. She was transferred to the Baku Court of Appeals, and two other judges were also changed. The change of judges apparently aimed to reset the process. The new presiding judge, Zaur Gadzhiev, was transferred from the Baku Military Court and has no background in political cases. Perhaps, formally, he will technically adhere to procedural norms better and treat the personalities of the accused with respect. However, it is unlikely that the course of the judicial investigation will change radically. The case obviously has a political nature, and judges cannot go against the directives given to them,” said this Baku lawyer, who wished to remain unnamed.

An employee of the Baku Serious Crimes Court only confirmed the information about the resumption of the process in the case of Meydan TV.

Representatives of the prosecution were unavailable for comment.

It should be noted that journalists from other media outlets, including Abzas Media, Toplum TV, and Kanal-13, have also faced persecution in Azerbaijan. On June 20, journalists and employees of Abzas Media were sentenced to imprisonment for terms ranging from 7.5 years to 9 years. In court, they rejected the charges, emphasizing that they are being persecuted for their professional activities and investigations into corruption cases.

Author: Faik Medjid, source, correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot"