The health condition of Tapdyg and Absalamova has raised concerns among human rights defenders.

Human rights defenders from the UK and France expressed concern about the health of journalists Aytaj Tapdyg and Nargiz Absalamova, who are under arrest in Azerbaijan. They urged Baku to provide the journalists with medical treatment in accordance with international standards for the treatment of prisoners.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", in December 2024, six journalists from Meydan TV, including Aytaj Tapdyg, were detained and then arrested on charges of currency smuggling. They linked the criminal case to their professional activities. By August 2025, 11 people had been arrested in the Meydan TV case. At the end of August, it became known that the investigation was completed, and a 12th suspect appeared in the case – photojournalist Ahmed Mukhtar. At the same time, the arrested journalists were charged with new accusations under seven additional criminal articles. On December 12, 2025, at the first hearing in the Meydan TV case, the Baku court refused to close the criminal case and release the accused. On July 17, it became known that Meydan TV and Abzas Media were awarded the "Pioneer of Free Media – 2026" prize.

The authorities ignored Aytaj Tapdyg's request for a medical examination

The London-based international human rights organization Human Rights Solidarity issued a statement expressing concern over the lack of effective medical assistance for the detained Meydan TV journalist Aytaj Tapdyg (Aytaj Akhmedova) in Azerbaijan.

As noted by the human rights organization, the journalist has been suffering from breathing problems for a long time, and the conditions of her detention further worsen her health condition.

"The facility (referring to Baku's Detention Center No. 1, where the journalist is held) was built on the site of a drained lake, leading to excessively high humidity and further exacerbating her breathing problems," the statement from Human Rights Solidarity said, the translation of which was provided by a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot".

At the same time, according to the human rights organization, the responses to the journalist's and her lawyer's requests to the chief doctor of the detention center indicated that there is no otolaryngologist in the medical service of the Ministry of Justice system.

Thus, the requests for Aytaj Tapdyg to undergo a medical examination and receive appropriate treatment went unanswered.

Human Rights Solidarity also emphasized that Aytaj Tapdyg is one of at least 24 journalists and media workers in Azerbaijan arrested as part of the persecution of independent media in the country.

According to human rights defenders, the charges against Tapdyg and her colleagues are politically motivated.

Human Rights Solidarity reminded that the deterioration of Aytaj Tapdyg's health has already raised concerns among other major international organizations, which demanded that the journalist receive urgent medical assistance.

Human rights defenders called on press freedom advocates and free speech supporters to contact members of the European Parliament, PACE, and international human rights organizations to increase attention to the situation of Aytaj Tapdyg and demand that she receive the necessary medical assistance.

During her 20 months in detention, Aytaj Tapdyg has used 80 packs of nasal spray due to respiratory failure. The conditions of detention in the detention center exacerbate the journalist's condition and negatively affect her ability to breathe normally, her mother Dilruba Amanova told a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot".

Aytaj Tapdyg's defense sent a request to the main medical department of the Ministry of Justice on June 19 to ensure conditions for her medical examination, but so far there has been no response or reaction from the agency, the journalist's lawyer Javad Javadov reported to a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot".

French human rights defenders demanded treatment for Nargiz Absalamova

The French human rights organization ACAT-France demanded urgent medical examination and treatment for another journalist – Abzas Media reporter Nargiz Absalamova, who is in detention in Azerbaijan.

As part of the campaign launched in defense of the journalist, the organization called on people who stand in solidarity with her to send letters to the President of Azerbaijan urging the release of Absalamova and other arrested journalists.

In the statement from ACAT-France, it is noted that 28-year-old Absalamova has been under arrest since November 30, 2023, due to her journalistic activities. Human rights defenders emphasized that the journalist was involved in investigations related to corruption and human rights violations, and her health condition has significantly deteriorated since her detention.

"We are concerned about the restriction of Nargiz Absalamova's access to medical examinations. Every person in detention has the right to receive necessary medical assistance," the statement from ACAT-France said, the translation of which was provided by a correspondent from "Caucasian Knot".

Human rights defenders emphasized that Absalamova suffers from chronic sinusitis. According to their data, during her detention, the journalist has experienced severe headaches and breathing problems.

Absalamova's family stated the need for specialized examinations, including MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). However, despite numerous requests from the journalist to the Penitentiary Service, she has not been provided with medical examination and treatment for more than six months.

Human rights defenders pointed out that the administration of the penitentiary institution unofficially stated that it "awaits permission from above." ACAT-France reminded of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules, which state that the state is obliged to provide prisoners with medical assistance at the same level that is available to the population.

Initially, Absalamova was held in Baku's detention center, and in September 2025, she was transferred to the Lankaran penitentiary complex, located about 250 kilometers from Baku. ACAT-France noted that the transfer of the journalist to a remote region complicated her contacts with relatives and lawyers, as well as created additional financial and organizational difficulties for her family.

The statement also reminds that during her detention in Baku's detention center, Nargiz Absalamova, along with her colleagues Sevinj Vagifgizi and Elnara Gasimova, complained about inhumane conditions of detention. The journalists reported on the malfunctioning state of the cells, water leaks from the ceiling and walls, and the absence of fans in the summer, despite the fact that they were provided to other prisoners.

After the journalists went on a hunger strike in support of Abzas Media director Ulvi Hasanli, according to the organization, they were placed in cells without showers, ventilation, and windows that opened to the outside.

ACAT-France demanded that the Azerbaijani authorities immediately provide Nargiz Absalamova with specialized medical examination and necessary treatment.

Human rights defenders also called for the unconditional release of Absalamova and other journalists, and for the cessation of using the judicial system as a tool of pressure on representatives of independent media.

"Caucasian Knot" currently has no comment from the Penitentiary Service of Azerbaijan.