Matlab Bagirov – theologian, founder and the Head of the Salam News Agency as well as the Internet channel Interaz TV Date of arrest: 30 January 2023 Charge: Articles 162-1.1 (Involving a large number of employees to perform any work (services) without entering the labor contract into legal force); 167-3.1 (Manufacture, storage or distribution of religious extremist materials); 193-1.3.2 (Legalization of money or other property obtained by crime, committed in large amount) and 193.2.2 (Miss entrepreneurship, committed with gaining a large-scale income) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.
On 1 February 2023, Matlab Bagirov was sentenced to 4 months in pre-trial detention.
The period of detention in custody during the investigation has been subsequently extended several times.
Sentence: On 24 February 2025, the Baku City Court for Serious Crimes issued a verdict: to find Matlab Bagirov guilty on all charges and sentenced him to 12 years of imprisonment.
Judge: Leyla Asgarova-Mammadova
Matlab Bagirov
Matlab Bagirov – theologian, founder and the Head of the Salam News Agency as well as the Internet channel Interaz TV Date of arrest: 30 January 2023 Charge: Articles 162-1.1 (Involving a large number of employees to perform any work (services) without entering the labor contract into legal force); 167-3.1 (Manufacture, storage or distribution of religious extremist materials); 193-1.3.2 (Legalization of money or other property obtained by crime, committed in large amount) and 193.2.2 (Miss entrepreneurship, committed with gaining a large-scale income) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic. On 1 February 2023, Matlab Bagirov was sentenced to 4 months in pre-trial detention. The period of detention in custody during the investigation has been subsequently extended several times. Sentence: On 24 February 2025, the Baku City Court for Serious Crimes issued a verdict: to find Matlab Bagirov guilty on all charges and sentenced him to 12 years of imprisonment. Judge: Leyla Asgarova-Mammadova
- Category
- Media, Religious
- Arrest date
- 2023-01-30
- Arrest Count
- 1
- Region
- Azerbaijan
- Last updated
- 2026-05-13
Charges
Articles 162-1.1 (Involving a large number of employees to perform any work (services) without entering the labor contract into legal force); 167-3.1 (Manufacture, storage or distribution of religious extremist materials); 193-1.3.2 (Legalization of money or other property obtained by crime, committed in large amount) and 193.2.2 (Miss entrepreneurship, committed with gaining a large-scale income) of the Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic.
Public sources
- Union for the Freedom for Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan, List of Political Prisoners, 13 May 2026 report / 2026-05-13 / source list