Trial of Toplum TV journalists begins

The first preparatory court hearing on the criminal case of Toplum TV employees was held. As Oxu.Az reports, a hearing was held in the Baku Grave Crimes Court under the chairmanship of Judge Azer Taghiyev, where the part of the indictment concerning Mushfig Jabbarov, Ali Zeynalov, Ruslan Izzetli and Ramil Babayev was read out.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 23.

According to information distributed by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, law enforcement officers carried out operational and investigative measures in the office located at the address: Narimanov district, Y. Chemenzeminli street, house 98B, as well as at other addresses. During the investigation, Toplum TV founder Alesker Mammadli, editor Mushfig Jabbarov, head of the Institute of Democratic Initiatives Akif Gurbanov, employee Ali Zeynalov, founder of the “III Republican Platform” Ruslan Izzetli, Ramil Babayev, Ilkin Amrakhov, Shahnaz Beylergizi were brought to justice.

A criminal case was initiated against them under Article 206.3.2 (smuggling committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CC AR). Later, the defendants were additionally charged under Articles 162-1.1 (violation of the rules for the circulation of excisable goods), 192.3.2 (illegal entrepreneurship), 193-1.3.1 and 193-1.3.2 (tax evasion), 206.4 (large-scale smuggling), 213.2.1 (large-scale customs evasion) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.

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