There appears to be no end to the Azerbaijani government’s crackdown on independent voices. By arresting seven journalists and an opposition politician in recent days on what the detainees insist are fabricated charges, authorities are putting to rest speculation that they might ease up on efforts to silence watchdogs and critics in the aftermath of the COP29 environmental summit.

The seven detained journalists, six of them affiliated with the often-outspoken Meydan TV, were ordered by a local court on December 8 to remain in pre-trial detention for four months. 

On the same day, opposition political figure Azar Gasimli was also arrested and on December 9 also given four months of pre-trial detention. He is accused of extortion, a charge he rejects as politically motivated. Gasimli, who made an unsuccessful run for a parliamentary seat in 2020, is a frequent critic of Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev.

Authorities took the Meydan TV journalists into custody at Baku airport on December 6. One of them, identified as Ramin Deko, was arriving on an international flight, the others were at the airport to greet him. According to Interior Ministry officials, Deko is suspected on bringing “illegal money” into the country. In addition to the journalists, six other individuals were detained in connection with the airport arrests and released after interrogations.

In a statement, Meydan executives denied the government’s claims and asserted the arrests were politically motivated.

“Since its establishment, Meydan TV has been trying to properly cover the events taking place in the country, the problems of citizens, their complaints and appeals,” it read. “The goal is to form an independent and alternative media organization in the country and to inform people.” 

“The pressure and accusations made against us since our establishment are groundless, and we emphasize once again that we will continue our journalistic activities,” the statement added.

Meydan TV is headquartered in Germany and has been broadcasting since 2013. Over time, it has emerged as one of the most influential independent sources of news in Azerbaijan, airing interviews with opposition politicians and penetrating investigative reports.