A court in Azerbaijan sentenced nine journalists, media workers, and civil society activists to a combined total of 121 years in prison in the Toplum TV case. The Baku Grave Crimes Court handed down sentences ranging from 12 to 15 years per defendant on July 27, 2024.
Among those sentenced were Akif Gurbanov and Ruslan Izzatli, each receiving 15 years; Alasgar Mammadli, co-founder of Toplum TV, and researcher Ali Zeynalov each received 14 years; Ramil Babayev, Ilkin Amrahov, and Mushfig Jabbarov each received 13 years; and Farid Ismayilov and Elmir Abbasov each received 12 years.
The authorities initially accused the nine of currency smuggling, later adding other financial crimes. All defendants denied the charges and said the prosecutions were politically motivated.
Ilkin Amrakhov claimed that €2,700 found in his home was planted by police and that he had never traveled abroad.
Toplum TV's editor, Shahnaz Beylergizi, remains under a travel ban while being investigated on similar charges in a separate case. The trial of 12 Meydan TV journalists and media workers is still ongoing.
These sentences are the longest imposed during Azerbaijan's crackdown on independent media, exceeding the 7.5 to 9 year sentences given to AbzasMedia journalists in June 2025. According to the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), the verdict shows a serious escalation of repression against independent journalism in Azerbaijan. Over 25 journalists and media workers are currently imprisoned in the country for their professional activities.
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) described the sentences as extremely harsh and entirely political. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called the trial a "show trial" and demanded the release of all detained media workers. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the sentences result from the Azerbaijani government's impunity at the international level.
Azerbaijan ranked 171st out of 180 countries in the RSF 2026 World Press Freedom Index. The country's restrictive regulatory framework has excluded independent media and civil society from lawful operating and funding avenues.