Azerbaijan’s energy sector witnessed remarkable achievements in 2024, balancing traditional resource-based revenues with an ambitious pivot toward renewable energy.
Day: December 22, 2024
Categories
“AbzasMedia” Trial Has Begun
The trial of seven journalists arrested in connection with the criminal case related to the publication “AbzasMedia” has commenced. The case is being heard at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, chaired by Rasim Sadikhov, with Novruz Karimov and Leyla Asgerova-Mammadova serving as members of the judges’ panel.
The accused journalists are Ulvi Hasanli, the director of “AbzasMedia”; Sevinj Vagifgizi (Abbasova), the editor-in-chief; Mahammad Kekalov, the deputy director; Hafiz Babali, an editor at Turan News Agency; journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova; and economist and Radio Azadliq employee Farid Mehralizade. The trial is part of a broader investigation that includes charges related to alleged corruption and illegal activities exposed by the journalists.
The trial’s preparatory hearing took place on December 17, 2024, and it was revealed that a significant portion of the seats designated for attendees had been occupied by outsiders. It was claimed that about 20 of these individuals were those who had taken exams for judicial positions or were present for internships.
The accused journalists objected to this, stating that the hall was deliberately filled with unnecessary people while their family members and supporters were left outside. They demanded the removal of these individuals. Additionally, media representatives who had come to observe the proceedings were not allowed entry, with an order issued specifically barring journalists from attending the session.
As the trial began, Sevinj Vagifgizi objected to two of the three judges on the panel, Rasim Sadikhov and Novruz Karimov, citing their history of issuing politically-motivated rulings. Vagifgizi argued that Sadikhov had been involved in sentencing human rights defender Intigam Aliyev to seven and a half years in prison in 2014-2015, a decision later found to violate the European Convention on Human Rights.
She stated that this demonstrated Sadikhov’s lack of independence and his role in political repression. Vagifgizi also accused Novruz Karimov of being involved in illegal activities during his tenure at the National Security Ministry (NSM) and later as a judge, where he allegedly issued unlawful verdicts in politically-charged cases, including the prosecution of journalist Parviz Hashimli. Vagifgizi emphasized that these judges had been involved in corruption and that they should not be presiding over her case.
The third judge, Leyla Asgerova-Mammadova, was mentioned by Vagifgizi as someone whose background was unknown to the defense team, with the hope that she would not become complicit in what they perceived as an unjust process.
The objections raised by the accused journalists were supported by other defendants, including Farid Mehralizade, who declared that judges like Sadikhov and Karimov were not needed in the country. Despite these objections, the court did not uphold them, and the trial proceeded with the judges in place.
During the hearing, the personal details of the accused journalists were clarified, and their rights and responsibilities were outlined. The judge informed the court that Ramil Abbasov, an official from the State Tax Service, was acting as the civil claimant, as the agency had filed a civil lawsuit against the journalists.
This civil case was in addition to the criminal charges against them. The court’s physical layout featured a glass booth divided into two sections. Three female journalists—Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova—were placed in the smaller section, while the other four accused individuals were seated in the remaining portion.
Defense lawyers condemned this arrangement, describing it as inhumane, and requested that the journalists be allowed to sit next to their attorneys for proper consultation. The court granted this request, allowing the journalists to sit beside their legal representatives for the duration of the proceedings.
The defense lawyers then raised several motions, including a request to terminate the criminal case, or if that was not possible, to release the accused on house arrest or with bail. Lawyer Javad Javadov, representing Farid Mehralizade, argued that his client had no connection to the “AbzasMedia” case and believed his arrest was related to his work with Radio Free Liberty’s Azerbaijani service.
He further requested that Mehralizade be placed under house arrest, as he was not a flight risk and had family ties, including a newborn child. Hafiz Babali’s lawyer, Rasul Jafarov, also argued that his client had not committed any criminal acts and highlighted Babali’s health problems, including a Group III disability due to eye and foot issues. Jafarov pointed out that medical records from the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed these health issues. Other lawyers, such as Fakhraddin Mehdiyev, referred to the accused journalists as “knights who expose corruption,” emphasizing their role in uncovering state corruption.
In response, journalist Hafiz Babali told the court that all seven defendants had been punished for their investigative work exposing corruption. He stated that the public had been shaken by their arrests and that their investigations into corruption had been misinterpreted as criminal activities. Babali also explained that their bank accounts were thoroughly checked and no illegal activities were found.
He asserted that they were victims of political and legal repression. Babali criticized the judicial system, stating that the law prohibited judges from knowingly issuing unlawful decisions, but that these judges had done so intentionally. Farid Mehralizade echoed this sentiment, adding that “AbzasMedia” had been at the forefront of exposing corruption and that Azerbaijan’s law enforcement agencies were punishing those who exposed wrongdoing, not those who committed it.
Despite the defense’s motions and arguments, the judges, led by Rasim Sadikhov, did not grant any of the requests. The next hearing in the trial has been scheduled for December 28, 2024.
The arrests of the “AbzasMedia” journalists began on November 20, 2023, with Ulvi Hasanli and Mahammad Kekalov being detained first, followed by Sevinj Vagifgizi. Investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, along with Nargiz Absalamova, Elnara Gasimova, and Farid Mehralizade, were arrested shortly after. They face charges under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code for smuggling by a group of persons, but the charges were later escalated to include illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, tax evasion, and more, carrying penalties of up to 12 years in prison.
Following Ulvi Hasanli’s arrest on November 20, 2023, a search was conducted at the “AbzasMedia” office, where it was claimed that 40,000 euros were found. However, Hasanli denied the allegations, insisting that the money was planted by those who claimed to have found it. The accused journalists maintain their innocence, arguing that they are being punished for exposing corruption, including the business dealings of several high-ranking officials, including members of the President’s family. Government representatives, however, insist that the arrests were based on concrete evidence of criminal activity.
The post “AbzasMedia” Trial Has Begun appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
Anti-vaccination movement in Armenia
The question of whether flu vaccination is necessary begins to gain traction in Armenia when the virus season is already in full swing. In late autumn and winter, teachers in schools and kindergartens often advise parents to take their children to the clinic for vaccination. However, only a few follow this advice. As a result, students fall ill, miss classes, and lag behind their peers.
A JAMnews journalist visited a clinic to speak with doctors and hear parents’ arguments for and against vaccination.
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Working mothers firmly support vaccination
During peak virus activity, clinics, hospitals, and the hallways of schools and kindergartens display posters encouraging prevention. Everywhere, it is announced that vaccination is the primary way to avoid infection.
Most parents in line at Clinic No. 19 said their local doctor called to inform them about the availability of the vaccine and the importance of getting vaccinated.
“My two children and I make sure to get vaccinated every year. I contact our doctor, clarify the details, and schedule a visit. We lived in the Netherlands for three years and always got vaccinated against seasonal viruses. Those years passed without complications,” says Goar.
She believes that attitudes toward vaccination in Armenia are influenced by people’s knowledge and awareness:
“I’ve been speaking with mothers in line for vaccination. They are all educated, working women. They can’t afford to miss work frequently or for long periods to care for a sick child. They are familiar with vaccines and know about potential side effects. For those I advise to get vaccinated, I send various materials so they can be informed and make an educated decision.
For instance, during the coronavirus pandemic, I had my own concerns. The vaccines were new, and it took time for scientific evaluations of their effects and complications to emerge. With the flu, I’m at ease because we’ve been getting vaccinated for years,” Goar explains.
Vaccination opportunities and conditions
At the beginning of October, the Ministry of Health announced the arrival of a batch of “quadrivalent vaccines against seasonal flu,” effective against four strains. To get vaccinated, individuals simply need to visit a clinic.
In addition, mobile vaccination points operate in Yerevan, where shots can be administered. These are open every weekday from 10:00 to 16:00.
Vaccination is provided “under state order,” as it’s commonly referred to in Armenia, meaning it is free of charge. The vaccine is available to everyone, regardless of their registered clinic, and even to foreigners.
As of October 11, 28,982 adults in Yerevan and the regions have been vaccinated. Between September 11 and December 18, 8,426 children under the age of five received the vaccine.
Kindergartens – one of ‘most vulnerable links’ in chain
Araksia came for vaccination with her four-year-old daughter and 81-year-old mother-in-law. Since the coronavirus pandemic, vaccination has become a routine for her family.
“We no longer need convincing. We know that if we get infected after vaccination, the illness will be mild and won’t require prolonged or hospital treatment. Last year, my daughter only got sick once. She had a fever for two days but was able to carry on normally. We didn’t even need to give her medication. Plus, the older family members didn’t get sick. Now they remind me every day—let’s go get vaccinated,” Araksia explains.
She is concerned that an infection has already spread in her daughter’s kindergarten group. For several days, more than ten children have been absent:
“Everyone is sick. When you talk to parents about vaccination, they refuse. They say there’s no point in vaccinating and it’s better for children to build immunity naturally. But their choice—to let their child get infected and build immunity—comes at the expense of your child’s health. They also often bring sick children to kindergarten, with a fever or a runny nose, explaining that they work and have no one to leave the child with. Not all caregivers monitor this. And so the chain of infections doesn’t break until summer.”
Another mother, Agnessa, joins the conversation and shares her story:
“In September 2023, my son started going to kindergarten. By the end of December, he had missed 61 days. You know, it’s hard to convince parents not to bring a sick child to kindergarten. Nannies and caregivers can’t send a sick child home because the mother says, ‘I’m working, there’s no one to look after my child.’ Every time my son got sick, we stayed home for ten days. But as soon as I brought him back to kindergarten, he caught another virus.”
Agnessa believes it’s pointless to rely on parents’ sense of responsibility. In her opinion, kindergarten management should establish rules and restrictions and ensure they are followed.
For example, this year, her child’s kindergarten started measuring the temperature of children at the entrance.
“Sometimes they bring a child without a fever, but he’s coughing intensely, which means he hasn’t fully recovered. Parents tell the caregiver, ‘The cough could last another month; I can’t keep my child at home for that long,’” she explains.
Moreover, according to Agnessa, many children experience severe symptoms, including inflammation of the eyes and ears:
“There are children who get sick every month. And the mother says she gives antibiotics, and after five days, the child is fine. She doesn’t understand what’s better for her child—taking a lot of antibiotics or getting one vaccine.”
Youth show greater support for vaccination
Anahit Mkrtumyan, a pediatrician with many years of experience, works at the same Clinic No. 19. She notes that more people have been coming for vaccinations in recent years, but she believes there is still a long way to go:
“There are parents who are willing to listen and learn something new. You can explain things to them and convince them. But there are others who don’t even want to hear what you have to say. They trust what’s accepted in their circle more than they trust a doctor. That’s why I ask parents who bring their children for vaccinations to share its benefits with their neighbors, relatives, and friends. It’s sad, but the issue of trust in doctors is evident. This is despite the fact that medicine in Armenia is a successful and well-established field.”
According to the doctor, anti-vaccination campaigns significantly hinder vaccination efforts.
“Of course, a lot has changed since the coronavirus pandemic. Many myths were dispelled. People started reading, researching, and approaching the issue more consciously. I’m happy to say that young mothers now contact me more often to discuss their decision to vaccinate their child. There are many knowledgeable, responsible mothers, and that gives me hope for the future. However, we still need to talk more and help people access information. Only awareness can help increase the rate of vaccination,” she says.
The preparation of young programmers representing Azerbaijan in international Olympiads continues successfully. In collaboration with Azercell, the Ministry of Science and Education, and the Institute of Education, the latest “Informatics Camp” was held at the Baku Higher Oil School, Azernews reports.
Categories
“AbzasMedia” Trial Has Begun
The trial of seven journalists arrested in connection with the criminal case related to the publication “AbzasMedia” has commenced. The case is being heard at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, chaired by Rasim Sadikhov, with Novruz Karimov and Leyla Asgerova-Mammadova serving as members of the judges’ panel.
The accused journalists are Ulvi Hasanli, the director of “AbzasMedia”; Sevinj Vagifgizi (Abbasova), the editor-in-chief; Mahammad Kekalov, the deputy director; Hafiz Babali, an editor at Turan News Agency; journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova; and economist and Radio Azadliq employee Farid Mehralizade. The trial is part of a broader investigation that includes charges related to alleged corruption and illegal activities exposed by the journalists.
The trial’s preparatory hearing took place on December 17, 2024, and it was revealed that a significant portion of the seats designated for attendees had been occupied by outsiders. It was claimed that about 20 of these individuals were those who had taken exams for judicial positions or were present for internships.
The accused journalists objected to this, stating that the hall was deliberately filled with unnecessary people while their family members and supporters were left outside. They demanded the removal of these individuals. Additionally, media representatives who had come to observe the proceedings were not allowed entry, with an order issued specifically barring journalists from attending the session.
As the trial began, Sevinj Vagifgizi objected to two of the three judges on the panel, Rasim Sadikhov and Novruz Karimov, citing their history of issuing politically-motivated rulings. Vagifgizi argued that Sadikhov had been involved in sentencing human rights defender Intigam Aliyev to seven and a half years in prison in 2014-2015, a decision later found to violate the European Convention on Human Rights.
She stated that this demonstrated Sadikhov’s lack of independence and his role in political repression. Vagifgizi also accused Novruz Karimov of being involved in illegal activities during his tenure at the National Security Ministry (NSM) and later as a judge, where he allegedly issued unlawful verdicts in politically-charged cases, including the prosecution of journalist Parviz Hashimli. Vagifgizi emphasized that these judges had been involved in corruption and that they should not be presiding over her case.
The third judge, Leyla Asgerova-Mammadova, was mentioned by Vagifgizi as someone whose background was unknown to the defense team, with the hope that she would not become complicit in what they perceived as an unjust process.
The objections raised by the accused journalists were supported by other defendants, including Farid Mehralizade, who declared that judges like Sadikhov and Karimov were not needed in the country. Despite these objections, the court did not uphold them, and the trial proceeded with the judges in place.
During the hearing, the personal details of the accused journalists were clarified, and their rights and responsibilities were outlined. The judge informed the court that Ramil Abbasov, an official from the State Tax Service, was acting as the civil claimant, as the agency had filed a civil lawsuit against the journalists.
This civil case was in addition to the criminal charges against them. The court’s physical layout featured a glass booth divided into two sections. Three female journalists—Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova—were placed in the smaller section, while the other four accused individuals were seated in the remaining portion.
Defense lawyers condemned this arrangement, describing it as inhumane, and requested that the journalists be allowed to sit next to their attorneys for proper consultation. The court granted this request, allowing the journalists to sit beside their legal representatives for the duration of the proceedings.
The defense lawyers then raised several motions, including a request to terminate the criminal case, or if that was not possible, to release the accused on house arrest or with bail. Lawyer Javad Javadov, representing Farid Mehralizade, argued that his client had no connection to the “AbzasMedia” case and believed his arrest was related to his work with Radio Free Liberty’s Azerbaijani service.
He further requested that Mehralizade be placed under house arrest, as he was not a flight risk and had family ties, including a newborn child. Hafiz Babali’s lawyer, Rasul Jafarov, also argued that his client had not committed any criminal acts and highlighted Babali’s health problems, including a Group III disability due to eye and foot issues. Jafarov pointed out that medical records from the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed these health issues. Other lawyers, such as Fakhraddin Mehdiyev, referred to the accused journalists as “knights who expose corruption,” emphasizing their role in uncovering state corruption.
In response, journalist Hafiz Babali told the court that all seven defendants had been punished for their investigative work exposing corruption. He stated that the public had been shaken by their arrests and that their investigations into corruption had been misinterpreted as criminal activities. Babali also explained that their bank accounts were thoroughly checked and no illegal activities were found.
He asserted that they were victims of political and legal repression. Babali criticized the judicial system, stating that the law prohibited judges from knowingly issuing unlawful decisions, but that these judges had done so intentionally. Farid Mehralizade echoed this sentiment, adding that “AbzasMedia” had been at the forefront of exposing corruption and that Azerbaijan’s law enforcement agencies were punishing those who exposed wrongdoing, not those who committed it.
Despite the defense’s motions and arguments, the judges, led by Rasim Sadikhov, did not grant any of the requests. The next hearing in the trial has been scheduled for December 28, 2024.
The arrests of the “AbzasMedia” journalists began on November 20, 2023, with Ulvi Hasanli and Mahammad Kekalov being detained first, followed by Sevinj Vagifgizi. Investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, along with Nargiz Absalamova, Elnara Gasimova, and Farid Mehralizade, were arrested shortly after. They face charges under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code for smuggling by a group of persons, but the charges were later escalated to include illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, tax evasion, and more, carrying penalties of up to 12 years in prison.
Following Ulvi Hasanli’s arrest on November 20, 2023, a search was conducted at the “AbzasMedia” office, where it was claimed that 40,000 euros were found. However, Hasanli denied the allegations, insisting that the money was planted by those who claimed to have found it. The accused journalists maintain their innocence, arguing that they are being punished for exposing corruption, including the business dealings of several high-ranking officials, including members of the President’s family. Government representatives, however, insist that the arrests were based on concrete evidence of criminal activity.
The post “AbzasMedia” Trial Has Begun appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.