A court in Azerbaijan has sentenced nine employees of the independent online publication Toplum TV to lengthy prison terms. Two co-founders received 15 years each, while the remaining seven were sentenced to between 12 and 14 years.

The harshest sentences were handed to co-founders Akif Gurbanov and Ruslan Izzatli, each receiving 15 years. Seven other staff members, including journalists, editors, project coordinators, and founder Alasgar Mammadli, received sentences ranging from 12 to 14 years.

The court found the employees guilty of smuggling funds, illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, tax evasion, and document forgery.

The Toplum TV editorial team rejected the charges, claiming the prosecution is linked to their professional activities. International human rights organizations view the case as politically motivated and an attempt to pressure independent media.

Toplum TV is known for its investigations into corruption among Azerbaijani officials, as well as reports on the economy, censorship, and social issues. In March 2024, the publication's office was raided, and most employees were subsequently detained.

In January, a court in Margilan sentenced Elyorbek Tojiboev, a special correspondent for Xalqparvar Guruhi, to four years in a strict-regime colony. The journalist was found guilty on six counts under the Criminal Code.

Source: podrobno.uz