Despite Threats Sorbonne Conference Highlights Crimes of Azerbaijan The Armenian Mirror-Spectator
Day: December 8, 2024
On December 8, the Syrian army command announced the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s authoritarian rule, marking a seismic turning point for the Middle East. This development follows a swift rebel offensive that culminated in the capture of Damascus, where jubilant crowds filled the streets chanting “Freedom” after decades of Assad family domination. The fall of Assad’s regime not only reshapes the Syrian political landscape but also sends ripples across neighboring regions, sparking fears of instability and geopolitical recalibrations.
On Friday, 6 December 2024, beginning around 1pm Baku local time, our newsroom lost contact with a number of individuals, some of whom who collaborate with Meydan TV.
While trying to reestablish contact, we learned that these individuals are currently being held at the Baku City Police Department. They are the following:
Khayala Agayeva / Xəyalə Ağayeva
Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig) / Aytac Əhmədova (Tapdıq)
Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunesh) / Aynur Qənbərova (Elgünəş)
Ramin Jabrayilzade (Deko) (independent journalist) / Ramin Cəbrayılzadə
Natig Javadli / Natiq Cavadlı
Aysel Umudova
The homes of some of the journalists named above were searched, and personal equipment and some of their belongings were seized.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ramin Jabrailzade (Deko) was detained based on information received regarding the illegal import of foreign currency into the country. In addition, several individuals were detained as part of the investigation. Ramin Deko works as an independent journalist and reporter.
We as the management of Meydan TV, firmly state that the detention and interrogation of our journalists is illegal, and we refute all accusations.
Since the day we started our activities over a decade ago, our brave journalists have been arrested, and they and their families have been subjected to persecution. Journalists who cooperate with us have been illegally banned from leaving the country, and have been surveilled by Pegasus spyware, among other forms of pressure.
Our website has been officially banned within the country’s borders since 2017, and Oor social media channels have repeatedly been subjected to cyberattacks.
Despite these attempts to silence us, we at Meydan TV have continued our work as journalists, publicized the events taking place in the country and the problems of ordinary citizens, and have done this all free of censorship.
Our goal has always been to be an independent and alternative media organization in Azerbaijan, informing our audience daily. The pressures and accusations against us since our establishment are groundless, and these novel attacks will neither silence us nor stop our work.
The post Meydan TV’s statement regarding latest arrests of journalists appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
International artists stand with Georgia
More than 500 cultural figures from around the world are issuing a statement of solidarity with Georgia and the Georgian people in response to the police’s brutal crackdown on peaceful protests in Tbilisi.
Among the signatories are film directors, musicians, writers, scientists, actors, and other cultural figures from various countries. They are calling on creative individuals worldwide to join the statement and support the Georgian people in their struggle.
“We, artists, curators, and cultural figures from around the world, stand in solidarity with the Georgian people and the artists fighting against Russian imperialist policies.
The resistance of the Georgian people against Russian imperialism has not received sufficient recognition. This statement seeks to draw attention to the ongoing oppression of the Georgian people and their fight against totalitarian regimes.
Currently, in Georgia, artists, activists, and cultural figures are at the forefront of the struggle against a repressive and brutal regime.
In recent years, they have become targets of political repression. They have been excluded from key cultural spaces such as museums, film centers, writers’ houses, and academic institutions. Now, they stand side by side with other protesters, facing police violence, arrests, and brutal beatings.
The new law “against LGBT propaganda” has effectively reinstated censorship, criminalizing the queer community, queer art, and queer culture in Georgia.
We are moved by the courage and resilience of the Georgian people in their fight against autocracy and totalitarian violence. Their resistance and determination inspire us, and we stand with them in their struggle for freedom and justice,” the statement reads.