Baku: New developments have emerged in the ongoing “Meydan TV” case with the appointment of Shamshad Aghayev as the new head of the Azerbaijani office. After the arrest of Aynur Ganbarova, the former head of the office, and six other employees, the main office in Germany has entrusted Shamshad Aghayev with the responsibility of managing the organization.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Shamshad Aghayev, who previously collaborated with Toplum TV and the III Republic Platform, has been tasked with recruiting new employees to fill the positions left vacant by the arrests. Aghayev swiftly appointed several individuals, including Kamran Mahmudov and Nurlan Gahramanli, to continue the operations of Meydan TV. The materials produced by the team were sent to Orkhan Mammadov, who oversees the German office, for broadcast.
Regular communication between Aghayev and the German office, including discussions via Signal and other applications, has been confirmed. Notably, a collaboration between Aghayev and Orkhan Mammadov led to the publication of the “Confiscation Against Prisoners” article on February 4. Additionally, Aghayev edited and facilitated the release of an article on environmental issues related to COP29 on February 3.
Financial transactions have also been scrutinized, with Aghayev transferring 435 AZN to Gunel Isayeva for her contributions, the amount being deposited into the account of Isayeva’s niece. The funding for Meydan TV’s operations is reportedly covered by donors, with regular international meetings organized for staff members.
In an unexpected turn, Shamshad Aghayev is accused of pressuring Samira Aliyeva, a Voice of America journalist, to provide false statements during the investigation. Aliyeva has reportedly resisted these attempts, highlighting the pressure faced by journalists involved in the case.
Additional revelations include Aghayev’s involvement in the “2×2 Media” project on Clubhouse, where topics such as media freedom and LGBT+ rights were discussed. The project included contributions from journalists based abroad, further emphasizing the international scope of Meydan TV’s operations.
Meanwhile, Nurlan Gahramanli, known for his provocative election videos, has sought political asylum in Germany, alleging pressure and violence in Azerbaijan. His request adds another layer to the complex situation surrounding Meydan TV.
The legal proceedings continue with the recent arrest of Shamshad Aghayev by the Khatai District Court. He faces charges under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code, related to smuggling. Alongside him, Shahnaz Baylargizi has also been detained, facing similar charges. The pretrial detentions follow earlier arrests of Aynur Ganbarova and other employees, as the case unfolds further.