ULVI HASANLI

Ulvi Hasanli, an independent Azerbaijani journalist and director of Abzas Media, remains imprisoned in connection with charges that international human rights and press freedom organizations have strongly criticized.

Hasanli was detained on November 20, 2023. He has denied the charges against him, while supporters and international organizations have raised concerns that his prosecution is linked to his journalistic work and investigations into corruption.

On June 20, 2025, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced Ulvi Hasanli to 9 years in prison. International media and human rights organizations condemned the verdict and questioned the fairness of the proceedings.

On April 3, 2026, Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court rejected the appeals of Hasanli and other Abzas Media journalists, leaving their prison sentences in place.

The case has become another major concern for press freedom and freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.

Journalism is not a crime.
Independent journalists must not be silenced.
Freedom of the press is a fundamental human right.

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