Incident

Home page

Incident

Baku Court announces final verdict in "Abzas Media" case

20 June 2025 16:45 (UTC +04:00)

The final hearing of the criminal case against Abzas Media employees was held, APA reports.

During today's session held at the Baku Court on Grave Crimes under the chairmanship of Judge Rasim Sadikhov, the defendants delivered their final statements.

After that, the court announced its verdict.

Court verdict

According to the verdict, Ulvi Hasanli and Sevinc Vagifgizi (Abbasova) were sentenced to 9 years, Mahammad Kekalov to 7 years and 6 months, Nargiz Absalamova to 8 years, Hafiz Babali to 9 years, Elnara Gasimova to 8 years, and Farid Mehralizade to 9 years in prison.

Prosecutor’s request:

Recall that the public prosecutor had requested prison sentences of 12 years for Ulvi Hasanli, 11 years for Sevinc Vagifgizi (Abbasova), 11 years for Mahammad Kekalov, 11 years for Nargiz Absalamova, 12 years for Hafiz Babali, 11 years for Elnara Gasimova, and 12 years for Farid Mehralizade.

Note that on November 21, 2023, “Abzas Media” director Ulvi Hasanli and editor-in-chief Sevinc Vagifgizi (Abbasova) were arrested, followed by deputy director Mammad Kekalov on November 23, employee Nargiz Absalamova on December 1, journalist Hafiz Babali on December 13, and later employee Elnara Gasimova, all under charges of smuggling as a group.

Charges in the “Abzas Media” case

They were initially charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group).

During the investigation, final charges were brought under several articles of the Criminal Code, including Article 193-1.3.2 (legalization of criminally obtained funds or other property, committed in large amounts).