Imprisoned Researcher Igbal Abilov Sues Pro-Government Media Outlets Over Presumption of Innocence Violations

Imprisoned researcher Igbal Abilov has taken legal action against several Azerbaijani media outlets, accusing them of violating his presumption of innocence by publishing materials that portrayed him as guilty before any final judicial determination.

On July 7, the Yasamal District Court held a hearing in a civil lawsuit filed by Abilov against ATV, Trend, Hit.az, and Qafqazinfo.

According to information provided to Toplum TV by the Committee for the Defense of Igbal Abilov’s Rights, representatives of the media outlets did not attend the hearing.

Abilov’s lawyer, Rovshana Rahimli, filed a motion requesting that her client be allowed to sit next to her during the proceedings. The court rejected the motion.

Abilov then stated that he wished to speak in the Talysh language and requested that an interpreter be provided. The judge initially appeared unwilling to grant the request. Rahimli reminded the court that in Abilov’s criminal case, both the Lankaran and Shirvan courts had provided him with a state-funded interpreter.

After the judge said the court could not secure an appropriate interpreter, the defense requested that educator Ogtay Asgarov be appointed for this purpose. Asgarov, who was present at the hearing, submitted documents confirming his pedagogical background. The court approved his participation as an interpreter at the next hearing.

The next hearing has been scheduled for August 11 at 10:30.

Abilov argues that after his arrest, ATV, Trend, Hit.az, and Qafqazinfo published materials that violated his right to the presumption of innocence. Those reports alleged that he had cooperated with Armenian special services.

Through his lawsuit, Abilov asks the court to recognize the publications as unlawful, ensure his right of reply, require the media outlets to issue apologies, and award a total of 6,000 manats in compensation for moral damage.

Igbal Abilov was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the Lankaran Court of Grave Crimes on May 20 last year.

A researcher who had been living in Belarus, Abilov was detained on July 22, 2024, while visiting relatives in Azerbaijan. He was charged under Articles 274, 281.3, and 283.1 of the Criminal Code — treason, public calls against the state allegedly committed on the instructions of foreign organizations, and incitement of national, racial, social, or religious hatred.

The Committee for the Defense of Igbal Abilov’s Rights has stated that he was not involved in any political activity and that his “only crime” was scientific objectivity, honest research, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

International human rights organizations, including United Nations rapporteurs, have recognized Abilov as a political prisoner.

The case once again highlights the role of state-aligned and pro-government media in Azerbaijan’s repressive environment. In politically sensitive cases, such outlets often act not as independent journalistic institutions, but as instruments of public stigmatization — presenting accusations as established facts and helping prepare public opinion before or during politically motivated prosecutions.

Abilov’s lawsuit is therefore not only a legal challenge against several media organizations. It is also a challenge to a broader system in which smear campaigns, criminal prosecution, and restrictions on linguistic and cultural rights operate together against independent researchers, activists, journalists, and critics.