Mushfiq Jabbarov – journalist of the Toplum TV, an online Azerbaijani media outlet Date of arrest: 6 March 2024 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); 206.3.2 (Smuggling committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons); 206.4 (Smuggling, 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 8 March 2024, the Baku City Khatai District Court issued a ruling: to apply a preventive measure against Akif Qurbanov in the form of arrest for a period of 4 months.
The period of detention in custody during the investigation has been subsequently extended times Place of detention: Pre-trial Detention Center № 1 at the Kyurdakhani settlement in Baku City Sabunchu 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 Mushfiq Jabbarov and the police said that 8,120 manat (approximately 4,800 USD) had been found during the search.
Then they searched his home and claimed to find another 2,000 euros.
The journalist categorically denied those accusations claiming that the money had been thrown by the police themselves. 19 On 11 March 2024, the management of Toplum TV released a statement in which they categorically rejected all accusations and claimed that the money had been planted by the police.
The EU criticized the Azerbaijani authorities for cracking down on the staff of Toplum TV and Platform III Republic.
