How long has Shamshad Agha worked at Meydan TV?
Shamshad Agayev (Shamshad Aga) has been managing the Azerbaijani office of Meydan TV.
According to information obtained by APA, after the arrest of the head of Meydan TV's Azerbaijani office Aynur Ganbarova (Aynur Elgunesh), and six other employees, the main office in Germany entrusted the management of Meydan TV to Shamshad Agayev. Prior to this, Shamshad Agayev had collaborated with Toplum TV and the III Republic Platform before later working with Meydan TV.
The office in Germany instructed him to find new employees to replace those who had been arrested.
Who were the new employees of Meydan TV?
Shamshad Aghayev quickly recruited Kamran Mahmudov (Deputy Director of Turan Information Agency), Nurlan Gahramanli (Nurlan Libre), Fatima Movlanova, Gulzar Mammadli, Gunel Isayeva and others. He sent the materials he prepared with them to Orkhan Mammadov, who headed the German office of Meydan TV, to broadcast.
Shamshad Aghayev regularly communicated with Meydan TV director Matthew Kasper and other colleagues in Germany - Orkhan Mammadov, Omar Mammadov, Habib Abdullayev (Habib Muntazir) and others via Signal and other applications.
Discussions between Shamshad Aghayev and Kamran Mahmudov on the Telegram mobile application indicate that the "Confiscation Against Prisoners" material, published by Meydan TV on February 4 this year, was prepared in collaboration with Orkhan Mammadov, who works at the Germany office.
Additionally, on February 3 this year, Shamshad Aghayev edited the article titled "Environmental Problems and Diseases in the Country Hosting COP29", published by Meydan TV, and sent it to Kamran Mahmudov for publication.
Shamshad Aghayev and other Meydan TV employees, including Aytan Hasanova, Kamran Mahmudov, Habib Muntazir, Orkhan Mammadov, Omer Mammadov, and Georgia-based representative Sevda Samedova, held discussions in a Telegram group they created about biased articles to be prepared regarding Azerbaijan.
How were the fees transferred?
Shamshad Aghayev transferred a fee of 435 AZN to Gunel Isayeva for publishing material for Meydan TV. The amount was deposited into the bank account of Gunel Isayeva’s niece, Aida Ahmadova.
Who covers the expenses of Meydan TV employees?
All expenses of Meydan TV staff are covered by donors. Available information indicates that regular meetings are organized for them abroad. Shamshad Aghayev has also frequently met with representatives of this media outlet operating in other countries.
Why is the Voice of America correspondent being pressured?
It has been determined that Shamshad Aghayev is pressuring Samira Aliyeva, a journalist currently working for Voice of America, for giving truthful testimony during the investigation. Conversations suggest that Aghayev is encouraging Aliyeva to provide false statements. “We all know everything very well, but you present yourself as a monument of truth and honesty,” Samira Aliyeva reportedly stated.
What was discussed in the “2x2 Media” project?
In 2023, Shamshad Aghayev worked as a paid editor on the online public discussion platform “2x2 Media” operating on the “Clubhouse” application, where 10 topics were discussed, including “Media and Freedom of Speech.” This project also involved journalists living abroad, Elmaddin Shamilzade (Elmi Shamilon), Habib Muntazir, Emil Jafarov, living in Germany, as an editor, and Voice of America journalist Ulviyya Guliyeva (Ulviyya Ali) as a designer.
Elmadin Shamilzade shared a list of proposed discussion topics in a Telegram group created for "2x2 Media". Among the suggested topics, LGBT+ rights and their representation in politics stood out.
Nurlan Libre seeks asylum in Germany
According to the obtained information, Nurlan Gahramanli (Nurlan Libre), who actively participated in the latest municipal elections by recording provocative videos at polling stations, sent these materials to Shamshad Aghayev for publication. It has been determined that Nurlan Libre has applied for political asylum in Germany, claiming that he was allegedly subjected to pressure and violence in Azerbaijan.
Who were the last people arrested in connection with "Meydan TV"?
On February 6, Shamshad Aghayev was arrested by the decision of the Khatai District Court. A pretrial detention measure of 2 months and 1 day was imposed on him. He was charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by a group of individuals in prior collusion).
Along with him, Shahnaz Baylargizi, former editor-in-chief of Toplum TV, was also subjected to a pretrial detention measure of 3 months and 15 days. She faces the same charge under Article 206.3.2.
Previously, Aynur Gambarova (Elgunesh), the head of "Meydan TV"s Azerbaijan office, and six other employees were also placed under pretrial detention.
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