The 7th round of the Azerbaijan Basketball League has wrapped up, Azernews reports.
Category: South Caucasus News
Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign
Azerbaijan’s non-resident ambassador to Bogotá, Mammad Talibov, held discussions with Patricia Cortes Ortiz, head of the Europe Department of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to explore potential cooperation in trade, culture, education, and consular affairs, Azernews reports, citing the press service of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on the matter.
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“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.
Abkhazia electricity outages continue
Abkhazia is experiencing a severe electricity shortage.
During the day, electricity is available for a total of only three hours.
To supply the republic with power at night, electricity must be purchased from Russia at market rates.
The republic’s budget has been completely drained to cover these expenses.
The bill for the latest “batch” of Russian electricity was settled in advance by Abkhazia’s largest winery through future tax payments. Where the money for the next batch will come from remains unclear.
The situation was discussed in parliament with the participation of government members. It was revealed that Abkhazia does not receive any money for the transit of electricity through the “Kavkasioni” transmission line, which Russia uses to supply electricity to Georgia.
“Why does a sovereign country, through whose territory a high-voltage line passes, where some sell and others buy electricity, not receive money for the transit? And if it does, who receives it, how much, and into whose pocket does it go?” asked MP Kan Kvarchia, addressing the Minister of Energy.
The minister’s response shocked everyone. It turns out that the “Kavkasioni” line is owned by a Georgian company, and Abkhazia has no connection to it. Moreover, due to the unresolved conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia, with Georgia considering Abkhazian territory as part of its own, no payment for the transit is made.
The editor of the newspaper Chegemskaya Pravda and JAMnews’s Abkhazian editor, Inal Khashig, believes the issue lies not with Georgia, which does not recognize Abkhazia, but with corruption within the republic itself.
Inal Khashig:
“Why is it only now that people are remembering that electricity has been regularly passing through ‘Kavkasioni,’ and yet the Abkhaz treasury has received no money for it?
It’s impossible that everyone simply forgot about it and suddenly woke up now.
Someone among the Abkhaz officials has been pocketing that money all this time, that’s for sure. There are no fools in the government: any of them might neglect state interests, but they’ll never neglect their own.”
- “If cryptocurrency mining isn’t stopped, Abkhazia will sink into darkness.” Opinion
- Secret files: Documents recovered during Abkhazia government raid under review
It is precisely from such diverted funds that Abkhazia’s current energy crisis has arisen. Every official, in their position, has been taking whatever they can.
By the way, following the deputy prime minister’s statement that electricity flowed through the “Kavkasioni” line without Abkhazia receiving any payment, the Prosecutor General’s Office should already open a criminal case.
Even if “Kavkasioni” is not officially listed as Abkhazian property on paper (although just a few years ago, it was on Abkhazia’s balance sheet), the line has been used for regular electricity flow. This means that significant business activity has taken place on our territory, yet no taxes have been paid into the Abkhazian treasury.
Notably, about ten years ago, the republic received 80 million rubles annually for this transit (equivalent to $2 million at the exchange rate of the time).
So, Prosecutor General’s Office and State Security Service, it’s your turn to act… And let the Ministry of Taxes calculate the arrears.
The situation around “Kavkasioni” once again highlights that the biggest problem in Abkhazia is rampant corruption.
Behind every decree, every economic law, every tax break, and, more recently, every intergovernmental agreement, lies the personal interest of Abkhaz officials. And this personal interest always takes precedence over the interests of the republic.
Terms, place names, opinions and ideas suggested by the author of the publication are their own and do not necessarily coincide with the opinions and ideas of JAMnews or its individual employees. JAMnews reserves the right to remove comments on posts that are deemed offensive, threatening, violent or otherwise ethically unacceptable
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.
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The Daily Beat: 18 December
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili addressed the European Parliament, speaking of the violations of the October 26 elections, the pro-Russian steps taken by the ruling Georgian Dream party, and the turn away from EU integration that Georgians have been protesting for weeks. In her speech, she criticized the EU for being slow to act against GD’s repressive steps and called for new elections in the country and more vocal support from the EU.
The President’s Administration reported that the Georgian Public Broadcaster did not broadcast President Salome Zurabishvili’s live address to the European Parliament. The Administration claimed that GPB failed to provide “full and objective” information to the public about the President yet again.
In a lengthy interview with one of the key Russian propagandists and a Director General of the Russian state-controlled TV network Russia Today, Dmitry Kiselyov, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev criticized his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron for getting involved in Georgia, saying: “You can see Macron’s ears sticking out, he is restless in his own country, and he has to get involved in Georgia.”
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has begun his official visit to Georgia. While in Tbilisi, he has met with civil society organizations (CSOs), Georgian Dream’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, and Speaker Shalva Papuashvili. He also had discussions with the Public Defender, Levan Ioseliani. The GD has used the fact of the visit to assert the legitimacy of its government following the disputed parliamentary elections.
Romania, Italy, and Spain have rejected claims by Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze that their representatives at Monday’s EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting opposed sanctions against the ruling Georgian Dream party members. The countries reiterated their concern about the situation in Georgia and condemned the “inaccurate” information and “disinformation” spread by Irakli Kobakhidze.
Representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) held a briefing to reveal that the ruling Georgian Dream party had planned the “systematic torture of peaceful demonstrators.” The CSOs reported that, based on evidence from the lawyers representing the detained protesters and publicly available information, they believe that the Ministry of Internal Affairs had predetermined brutal methods and a system of torture intended to discourage protests before November 28.
Anti-Russian protests have been ongoing in Tbilisi for 19 days now, bringing people of various professions and backgrounds onto the streets. Today, people with disabilities, their parents, and students from Caucasus University organized protest marches through the streets of Tbilisi, carrying the flags of Georgia and the EU. Later in the evening, protest marches from various locations united on Rustaveli Avenue, where police had to restrict the traffic. For more updates on anti-Russia protests across Georgia and related developments, visit our Liveblog: Resistance.