FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Under the new Labour government, the exposure of expensive properties, offshore accounts, and money laundering schemes linked to the Azerbaijani elite is expected to intensify...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms The detention period of three more individuals arrested in connection with the "Toplum TV case" has been extended. On July 4, by the decision of the Khatai District Court, the detention period for Akif Gurbanov, the head of the "Institute for Democratic Initiatives" and spokesperson for the "III Republic Platform", Ruslan Izzetli, a founding...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “To those who have separated a father from his child with false accusations, may you experience the same pain...” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Activist Ilhamiz Guliyev asserted that the criminal case against him was fabricated. At the Baku Grave Crimes Court, the indictment in Guliyev's case was announced. He denied the charge of illegal drug trafficking and maintained that the case was fabricated. At the beginning of the hearing, Guliyev petitioned for the return of his mobile phone, which had been taken during his detention. He claimed the phone...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The government should also heed this demand for rallies and lift the unjust ban on rallies. It is our people's right to assemble freely and peacefully, to voice grievances against the government, and to assert their demands…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Journalist Ismayil Tagiyev was called in as a witness to the Baku Serious Crimes Prosecution Office regarding the Abzas Media case. He spent approximately three hours at the police department before departing later that day. Tagiyev, in a statement to journalists, mentioned being detained in connection...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “Engaging in opposition politics and independent journalism in the so-called Republic of Azerbaijan is considered a crime. These two facts alone are sufficient to reveal the authoritarian, and even increasingly totalitarian, nature of the state…” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms Alasgar Mammadli, the co-founder of Toplum TV, was apprehended by individuals donning black masks on March 8. Reports indicate that the detention occurred after he left a medical examination, with the incident captured on video. The masked individuals allegedly took Mammadli...


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FB Digest@VoxPOPULI   “The banks belong to the Aliyev family, the hospitals belong to the Aliyev family, the pharmacies belong to the Aliyev family. Does the public, journalists, bloggers not have the right to question this?” (Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms On Wednesday, numerous journalists were detained as the crackdown on independent media continues in Azerbaijan. The office of the independent media outlet Toplum TV has been subjected to a police raid, resulting in the forceful apprehension of journalists. This comes after months of being targeted by Azerbaijani state...


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