The defense is seeking the recording of Ramin Deko's arrest.

The defendants in the Meydan TV case claimed that their rights were violated and described the criminal prosecution as related to journalistic activities. At the Baku Serious Crimes Court session, journalists recounted the circumstances of the arrests, and the defense once again raised the issue of the video recording of Ramin Deko's luggage inspection, which, according to the lawyers, may be crucial to the case.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on May 22, the hearing in the Meydan TV case was disrupted after journalist Khayala Agaeva's speech, in which she stated the political motives behind the persecution of the publication's staff and reminded about corruption scandals involving Azerbaijani politicians. In Azerbaijan, the composition of judges in the Meydan TV case has been completely replaced. The lawyers believe that this may lead to a renewal of the judicial investigation. On July 3, the process in the Meydan TV case resumed after the change of judges. The defendants reported procedural violations, the defense petitioned for a milder measure of restraint and drew attention to the health condition of the accused, but the court rejected these requests. The court also began a new judicial investigation and continued interrogations, including that of photojournalist Ahmed Mukhtar, who denied any connection to Meydan TV.

The journalists described their persecution as related to their professional activities

On July 24, the process in the Meydan TV case continued at the Baku Serious Crimes Court chaired by Judge Zaur Gadjiev.

As reported to the correspondent of “Caucasian Knot” by an activist observing the process, at the beginning of the session, the accused journalist Khayala Agaeva reported a violation of her right to make phone calls in the Baku pre-trial detention center. According to her, on July 23, during a phone call, the connection was suddenly interrupted, and no explanations were provided to her.

Another accused, Nurlan Gahramanly (Nurlan Libre), stated that he was not receiving letters sent by friends and demanded that such violations of his rights be rectified.

Moreover, the accused's lawyer said that his client was not even allowed to receive a copy of the indictment.

Judge Gadjiev stated that in the presence of such complaints, the accused could jointly with their lawyers separately appeal to the court with a complaint for consideration in the order of judicial supervision. The judge also noted that there should be no obstacles to delivering the indictment to the accused.

The editor-in-chief of Meydan TV, accused Aynur Elgyunesh (Ganbarova), reminded that at the beginning of the trial, she presented a document indicating that six months before her arrest, she was under surveillance by the State Security Service (SSS).

She believes that the court's decision sanctioning surveillance of her indicates that her arrest was premeditated. The journalist requested the court to recognize this as evidence of the “premeditated preparation” of her arrest.

The court left the petition unconsidered, noting that this issue would be assessed at the stage of examining written evidence.

Next, the testimonies of the accused were heard.

At the session, the accused Khayala Agaeva was given the opportunity to complete her testimony, which had been interrupted during the previous judges' composition.

We drew attention to the systematic lawlessness occurring throughout the country. We created an alternative platform for calls for equality, change, freedom, and democracy.

She reiterated that the case against Meydan TV is related to the professional journalistic activities of the publication's team.

“With our small handheld cameras, we drew attention to the systematic lawlessness occurring throughout the country. We created an alternative platform for calls for equality, change, freedom, and democracy. We remained true to the truth and the citizens,” the source quoted Agaeva's words.

The journalist also stated that there were numerous obstacles to the work of the publication's staff throughout its activity, pointing out that the media resource's archive is full of footage showing journalists being obstructed.

Agaeva emphasized that on December 6, 2024, Meydan TV “was subjected to a robbery attack.” Now, according to Agaeva, “the authorities want to put an end to this story through the court, giving their crime the appearance of legality.”

In her view, while smugglers are in power, journalists are being accused. “In psychology, this phenomenon is called ‘projection.’ It is a defense mechanism whereby a person attributes their own negative qualities, desires, or mistakes to others,” the source quoted Agaeva's words.

The journalist refused to answer questions from the state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, stating that she would not answer questions from a “state customer.”

The other accused, Fatima Movlamly, also refused to answer questions.

She recounted that during her years as a journalist since 2018, she had repeatedly faced arrests, threats, and violence from the police, yet continued to cover socio-political events and give a voice to those who, in her opinion, could not be heard through state media.

Movlamly detailed the circumstances of her arrest on February 28, 2025. She claims that police officers detained her without explanation, did not provide access to a lawyer, and numerous violations of criminal procedural legislation occurred during the search. According to her, the 13,500 euros found in her apartment were planted by the police, and the evidence against her was fabricated. At the same time, the journalist emphasized that the money attributed to her was in 500-euro bills, while this currency had been withdrawn from circulation in Europe since 2019.

She also stated that the materials of the criminal case do not contain reliable evidence of her involvement in the crime. In particular, the journalist called it absurd to use information from the Getcontact app as evidence, where some users indicated her as a journalist for Meydan TV, the registration of her phone number in the Signal messenger, and her critical publications on social media were presented by the investigation as signs negatively characterizing her personality.

Speaking about her collaboration with Meydan TV, Movlamly confirmed that she indeed worked with the editorial team, but only for two and a half months after the arrest of its staff. According to Movlamly, she did this almost on a voluntary basis, without a desire for profit, considering it important to preserve the work of an independent media outlet. She added that under similar circumstances, she would act the same way with other independent editorial teams.

In conclusion, the journalist stated that she considers her criminal prosecution a punishment for her professional journalistic activities, but does not regret her choice.

Movlamly expressed confidence that one day she would be free and able to engage in journalism again.

The video recording of Deko's arrest may become key in the case

Next, the accused journalist Ramin Deko (Jebrailzade) made an addition to his testimony given during the previous judges' composition.

He stated that he does not consider himself guilty and described his criminal prosecution as politically motivated due to his journalistic activities.

Most of his speech was dedicated to the circumstances of his arrest. According to him, on December 6, 2024, he flew to Baku from Tbilisi. At the airport, his luggage was inspected on video. He informed the customs officers that he had 8,000 euros in his carry-on luggage. According to him, this amount did not exceed the limit allowed for import without declaration and could not serve as grounds for accusations of smuggling.

Deko recounted that he left the airport without hindrance by taxi, but about five minutes later, the car was stopped by officers of the Baku Main Police Department.

He claims that after the car was stopped, he spent about twenty minutes in the officers' car, while his suitcase remained in the taxi's trunk. According to the journalist, it was at that time that 30,000 euros were planted in his luggage. Only after that, as Deko claims, the officers began operational video recording.

The journalist stated that on the video recording, he immediately said that the 8,000 euros belonging to him were in his carry-on luggage, and the 30,000 euros found in the suitcase did not belong to him. He pointed out to the court that his money was in a sealed envelope, while the 30,000 euros were openly placed on top of dirty clothes in the suitcase, which, in his opinion, indicates evidence fabrication.

“If the operational recording is shown in court, you will see that my 8,000 euros are in an envelope in the carry-on luggage, while the 30,000 euros are openly on top of dirty clothes in the suitcase. The question arises: what reasonable person would transport such an amount in that way, let alone smuggling? Would a criminal act so absurdly? Even Indian film screenwriters with their fantastic plots would not come up with such a poorly written script,” Deko recounted the source.

According to Deko, later during the recording at the police department, he still stated that the money belonged to him, as he claims, the police officers implied that other Meydan TV staff would be detained. He explained that he hoped to protect his colleagues in this way, but it did not help, and his colleagues were also arrested.

Lawyer Shakhla Gumbatova again petitioned for the retrieval of video recordings from customs control at Baku airport. The court reported that it had received a response to a previously sent request to the airport, but the provision of the video recording was allegedly denied due to “technical reasons.”

The accused Shamshad Aga expressed outrage at the judge's response, noting that the airport is a strategic facility and all recordings there should be securely stored.

The defense stated that the video recording is key evidence and demanded that a repeated request be sent. Judge Gadjiev stated that this issue would be considered at the next session, the source summarized.

The basis for the detention of Ramin Deko and other defendants was precisely the discovery of 38,000 euros with Deko. If it is proven that he had only 8,000 euros upon arrival, which is legally permissible without declaration, then the primary reason for the arrests of journalists will be recognized as illegal.

One of the lawyers participating in the process explained to the correspondent of “Caucasian Knot” that the inclusion of the video recording of Ramin Deko's luggage inspection in the case is a key issue in this matter.

“The basis for the detention of Ramin Deko and other defendants was precisely the discovery of 38,000 euros with Deko. If it is proven that he had only 8,000 euros upon arrival, which is legally permissible without declaration, then the primary reason for the arrests of journalists will be recognized as illegal. This will also confirm the bias of the investigation and automatically remove other charges against the journalists, which, by the way, are also not based on reliable evidence,” this lawyer explained.

An employee of the Baku Serious Crimes Court reported that the next court session is scheduled for August 7.

Representatives of the prosecution were unavailable for comment. It should be noted that journalists from other media outlets, including Abzas Media, Toplum TV, and Kanal-13, have also faced persecution in Azerbaijan. On June 20, journalists and staff of Abzas Media were sentenced to imprisonment for terms ranging from 7.5 to 9 years. In court, they rejected the charges, emphasizing that they are being persecuted for their professional activities and investigations into corruption cases.