A court in Azerbaijan has convicted nine journalists and founders of a top independent news outlet on charges of financial crimes and sentenced them to prison in what international media rights groups denounced Tuesday as a politically driven case to stifle critical voices in the oil-rich Caspian Sea nation.Toplum online TV founder and director Alasgar Mammadli was sentenced to 14 years in prison by the court in the capital of Baku. It gave 15-year prison terms to activists Akif Gurbanov and Ruslan Izzetli, who co-founded the outlet. Other journalists and activists associated with Toplum TV received sentences ranging from 12 to 14 years.They were charged with illegally receiving and using Western donor funds as part of an “organized criminal group.” They denied the charges and Elchin Sadigov, a lawyer for some of the accused, told The Associated Press they would appeal the verdicts.
“This is an unlawful and political motivated court ruling that is linked to their journalist activities,” Sadigov told AP. “Not a single defense motion has been granted by the court.”The government of President Ilham Aliyev has carried out a methodical crackdown on dissent and freedom of speech, targeting journalists, activists and independent politicians, relying on restrictive laws to muzzle critical voices. according to human rights organizations.Toplum TV, a leading online news outlet, was one of the last remaining independent news outlets in the southern Caucasus country of 10 million. It was known for its reporting on official corruption and social problems. In March 2024, police raided its offices and arrested several members of its staff.
