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February 23, 2026 – Azerbaijan –
A contentious court case targeting journalists from the independent outlet Meydan TV is ongoing in Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, as defendants and rights observers raise serious concerns about courtroom procedures, pre-trial treatment, and broader implications for press freedom in the country. The trial, which began after mass arrests in late 2024, has drawn attention from international media freedom organisations and civil society groups.
The Meydan TV case originated in December 2024, when six journalists were detained and later formally charged with “smuggling committed by a group of persons by prior collusion,” a financial-crime charge that defendants and press advocates link directly to their reporting. By August 2025, the number of defendants had grown to 12, including journalists, editors, and freelancers connected with Meydan TV. They were charged under multiple criminal articles and face potential years in prison if convicted.
During hearings in early 2026, defendants repeatedly protested restrictions on their rights in court, including being barred from sitting next to their lawyers and having microphones turned off during proceedings. In one hearing on 20 February 2026, journalists demanded to be removed from a glass enclosure in the courtroom. They expressed outrage over what they described as the continued curtailment of their rights to defend themselves. Several defendants told the court that protests in previous hearings had resulted in reports being drawn against them and alleged violence in pre-trial detention facilities.
Reports from defence statements indicate that journalists held in custody have endured physical and psychological pressure. One of the defendants, Nurlan Gahramanli, announced an indefinite hunger strike in January 2026 in protest of mistreatment by guards and the continuation of his detention, citing alleged violence and inadequate medical care as part of his grievances.
Observers and rights groups have contextualised the Meydan TV prosecution as part of a broader crackdown on independent media in Azerbaijan, noting that similar legal actions have been taken against other outlets like Abzas Media and Toplum TV under financial crime pretexts. International press freedom organisations such as Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists have repeatedly condemned the arrests, arguing that the charges are politically motivated reprisals against critical reporting.
The case continues at the Baku Court for Grave Crimes, with defence teams seeking procedural changes, including greater rights in the courtroom and greater transparency about detention conditions. As proceedings unfold, Meydan TV journalists and supporters maintain that the trial reflects systemic efforts to limit independent journalism in Azerbaijan amid broader government control over media and civic space.
Reference –
Meydan TV case in Azerbaijan: ‘Cancel trial and let us be punished under Ilham Aliyev’s decree’
