Farid Ismayilov – journalist of the Toplum TV, an online Azerbaijani media outlet Date of arrest: 17 January 2025 Charge: Articles 162-1 (Involvement to perform any work (services) without labor contract entering into force); 192.3.2 (Illegal business, committed with gaining an extra large-scale income); 193-1.3.1 (Legalization of money or other property obtained by crime, committed by an organized group or a criminal organization (criminal association); 193-1.3.2 (Legalization of money or other property obtained by crime, committed in large amount); 206.4 (Smuggling, 27 committed by the organized group) and 213.2.1 (Evasion from payment of taxes, committed by the organized group) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.
On 17 January 2024, the Baku City Khatai District Court imposed a preventive measure in the form of deprivation of liberty against Farid Ismayilov for the period of 2 months and 20 days during the preliminary investigation.
The period of detention in custody during the investigation has been subsequently extended times Place of detention: Pre-trial Detention Center at the Umbaki settlement in Baku City Qaradaq District Conclusion: On 6 March 2024, the at the Baku City General Police Department officers searched the office of Toplum TV Internet as well as the office of Platform III Republic, when a few employees were detained on suspicion of smuggling.
Among them was Farid Ismayilov.
In the evening, the police searched his flat but without his lawyer, after which the journalist was taken away and handcuffed.
Later, his lawyer, Zibeyda Sadigova, said that Farid Ismayilov had been under pressure, “Farid said that he had been detained by the police at around 2 p.m. on 6 March.
During the search they confiscated 3,100 euros kept his flat.
Farid said that the money had not belonged to him and had been planted by the policemen.
Farid denies the incriminated act.” The lawyer further pointed out F.
Ismayilov’s health problem saying: “In November 2023, Farid had a surgery on his nose, and in December, he had three lung surgical operations.
He was still under the doctor’s supervision”.
On 8 March 2024, it was chosen against Farid Ismayilov a measure of restraint in the form of transfer under the police supervision, and he was released from custody.
Following his release Farid Ismayilov said to the journalists: “I refused to testify, I did not sign anything except a statement of non-disclosure.
They often asked me about my health.
Apparently, they knew that I had been operated four times in recent months.
Finally, I was released and placed under the police supervision due to my health condition.
I should have to regularly report to the police”.
However, the journalist has not been liberated for long.
The authorities did not like the fact that he continued his professional endeavor and was active on the social network.
In December 2024, F.
Ismayilov was summoned to the Baku Main Police Department, where they warned him ‘to behave well’.
And on 17 January 2025, Farid Ismayilov was again detained and taken to the Main Police Department in Baku City, and then he was transferred to the Baku City Khatai District Court where the preventive measure was replaced to the arrest.
He was charged with six new offences.
According to his lawyer, Z.Sadigova, “The investigation motivated Ismayilov's remand in custody by toughening the charges and due to the fact that he had failed to comply with the provisions set out for being under the police surveillance.
Allegedly, he had been travelling to the neighbourhoods without informing the police.
Farid said that it hadn’t been true, he had been regularly going and checking in the police.
Farid insisted on his innocence". 28
