Azerbaijan's Supreme Court rejects appeals of seven Abzas Media and RFE/RL journalists jailed for 7.5 to 9 years on currency-smuggling charges
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On 20 June 2025 the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Abzas Media director Ulvi Hasanli, editor Sevinj Vagifgizi, journalist Hafiz Babali and RFE/RL's Farid Mehralizada to nine years, two reporters to eight years and Mahammad Kekalov to 7.5 years, on charges including currency smuggling, money laundering and tax evasion as an organised group. Authorities cited 40,000 euros found in a 2023 office raid as illegal foreign funding; the defendants deny the charges and describe the case as retaliation for their corruption reporting. The Supreme Court rejected the appeals on 3 April 2026, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
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- Committee to Protect Journalists
appeal rejected April 3, 2026
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- Meydan TV
nine years for four defendants, eight years for two, 7 years 6 months for Kekalov
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