Azerbaijani Court Jails 9 Journalists and Activists for up to 15 Years

OCCRPIndependentProgressive4 hr. ago

A Baku court sentenced nine individuals associated with the independent news outlet Toplum TV to prison terms ranging from 12 to 15 years as part of a broader crackdown on independent media and civil society. The defendants included journalists, staff from the Democratic Initiatives Institute, and members of the pro-democracy Third Republic Platform. In addition to prison sentences, they faced restrictions on employment and asset seizures. Two defendants received the maximum 15-year sentence, while others received lesser terms. The trial was criticized by defense lawyers and international journalist organizations as politically motivated and unjust. The charges initially alleged currency smuggling but were later expanded to include money laundering and misuse of foreign funds. The government has targeted multiple independent media outlets since late 2023, forcing some to operate from exile.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the sentencing as a politically motivated crackdown on independent journalism, citing international condemnation from the European and International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The language emphasizes the 'purely political nature' of the trial and describes it as 'government[