On June 20, Abzas Media journalist Elnara Gasimova delivered her final statement during the court hearing.

The journalist has been sentenced to 8 years in prison.

The full text of Elnara Gasimova’s final statement:

Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich writes: “One must not remain silent; one must show the devil his reflection in the mirror. Let him not think he is invisible and leaves no trace behind.”

Today, to ensure that no one traces these illegalities, the Azerbaijani government has begun tracking down the journalists who hold a mirror to these actions and has imprisoned them on false charges. Since November 2023, a new wave of repression against media representatives has begun. The wave that started with the Abzas team is still ongoing in 2025 with the arrest of our other colleagues.

Amidst the arrests of journalists, this year also marks the 150th anniversary of Azerbaijani press, founded by Zardabi, who said, “It is not possible for the truth to go unheard.” Ilham Aliyev, who tramples on the truth, has issued a decree for that day to be celebrated in a grand manner. At a time when nearly 30 journalists are behind bars, Aliyev, who wants to celebrate that day festively, might as well pay a visit to the Baku Pretrial Detention Center and other detention facilities. Because in every block, nearly on every floor of the detention center where we are held, there are media workers imprisoned for their professional activities.

Every one of us has been arrested by the order of the same person, and we are charged under more or less the same articles. Most importantly, we all know very well why we were arrested: because of Ilham Aliyev’s intolerance toward the “truth” that Zardabi envisioned. It is precisely this intolerance that has placed Azerbaijan at 167th among 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index. In a time when anyone holding a camera is sent to a prison cell, this is hardly surprising.

So, what did they have to fabricate to send us to these prison cells? 

When the criminal case against us was first launched, we were only charged with smuggling. Later, additional charges were brought. Thus, the number of articles we were accused under was increased to seven. As investigator Toghrul Huseynov said himself, the number of charges was adjusted to match our number. What he said jokingly actually reflects the reality. Otherwise, there is neither a logical basis nor proof for the seven articles we are charged with.

According to the indictment, we are accused of committing several crimes as an organized group. In reality, what we did as an “organized group” was just producing news. Apparently, delivering truthful news is considered a criminal act.

So far, no evidence has been presented to support the validity of the charges. The only supposed evidence is a statement attributed to Kekalov during the preliminary investigation - a statement he later retracted in court. One of the claims in that statement is that we supposedly brought money into the country together with the team on the same flight from abroad. In fact, we have never traveled together and never brought in any money. The border crossing records in the case file confirm this. Moreover, it is never made clear when or how we supposedly brought this money, as alleged.

If you look closely, you will see that the case materials themselves reveal that we were arrested specifically for our journalistic activities. In addition, the witness testimonies contain no information indicating that we committed any crime. Some of those questioned as witnesses said they didn’t know some of us at all, others said they knew us only as journalists.

So why, in fact, were we arrested?

As we have said before, we were arrested because of the investigations published on “Abzas Media” about Ilham Aliyev and the officials he appointed to positions. We are in prison because we gave a voice to those who had no place in government media, we held out the microphone to them. We showed citizens what was happening, why it was happening, and how the decisions made would affect them. We were arrested because Ilham Aliyev, just as he wants control in every other sphere, also wants to control the press. That’s why he has added journalists, whose professional activities he cannot control, to the list of those kept under surveillance in the detention centers he sends them to.

Even so, he still cannot bring our journalistic work, which we continue from behind bars under control. Because speech is free. When they sent this many journalists to prisons they protect like sealed boxes, they should have known: those journalists will open the lid of that box and reveal what’s inside.

 As I said earlier, if Ilham Aliyev wants to celebrate National Press Day in a grand manner, let him pay a visit to the Baku Pretrial Detention Center. Let him come, and we will show him how the prison administration has taken his style of governance as a role model. We will show him how the green light he gave to police violence by saying, “not even a single police officer will be punished”, reaches all the way into the prison. Because those who commit violence against detainees are not punished, and in some cases, they are even rewarded.

Let us show Ilham Aliyev how the deputy warden boasts about violence in the corridors of a detention center where signs saying “say no to torture” hang on the walls.

Let us show Ilham Aliyev how his tradition of corruption is faithfully continued in this institution. Let us show how the prison chief proudly talks about spending part of the bribes he collects on charity work. How staff, due to low wages, are engaged in circulating bribes. Let us show Ilham Aliyev how phone calls, open visits, and certain minor “privileges” are sold to detained individuals for a price.

Let us show how the goods and products that detainees are entitled to are given to them in poor condition due to embezzlement, or not given at all.

But it’s unlikely that the president would want to see the scene in a place where his methods are being implemented. It’s precisely because he doesn’t want to see this and other truths that we have been brought before a court whose decisions are actually made by him. In past hearing, the state prosecutor mentioned the numbers “11-12” and even those numbers bear the signature of the same man. In reality, all that was expected of Rauf Malishov was to voice the order that came from the Presidential Administration.

No one should be concerned about the length of the sentence or the decision the state prosecutor is asking for. These numbers, these imprisonments, are intended to create an atmosphere of fear. Those who fear press freedom are trying to intimidate the remaining independent journalists and those who aspire to become journalists with these numbers.

I have never held out hope for happy endings. Because such things happen only in fairy tales. But I have believed and still believe that even if everything is plunged into darkness, there will always be those who continue to do what they know is right, those who stubbornly light their own flame against the dark.

I believe that even in an environment of pressure and the risk of arrest, there will always be those who remain true to their professional principles and continue to practice real journalism.

As for the court: the orders you receive are also commands for you, and instead of being independent, you choose to obey unlawful commands. In doing so, you are no different from those who give you the orders. So don’t try to shrug off responsibility by saying “I was just following orders” or try to soothe your conscience this way.

Article 125, Clause VII of the Constitution states: “Judicial proceedings must ensure the establishment of the truth.” So what is the truth? How important is it for the judges, who are part of this process, to establish the truth? Is it important at all? How do they view the “Abzas Media case”?

From the very first hearing, the stage lights have shone only on Rasim Sadikhov. The others - the assistant judges, have remained in the shadows, silent. From the first day, they have sat like people given no role in the script, placed there just to complete the image. During our trials, Novruz Karimov often passed the time dozing off in his seat. In a case where everything is predetermined, it’s understandable not to want to burden your mind with extra information.

As for Leyla Asgarova-Mammadova, throughout our court sessions, she spent her time either examining her nails, playing with her hair, or trying to suppress her laughter. On June 10, during our lawyers’ speeches, I saw her staring long and hard at the air conditioner in the courtroom. Apparently, the defense’s arguments captured her attention even less than that object did.

So I ask again: how important is the truth to the judges here? I won’t even speak about being independent and fair.

 Rasim Sadikhov, this is not the first case in which you have acted on orders. You already have experience. You issued rulings on orders in the cases of Intigam Aliyev and, more recently, the civic activist Mohyaddin Orujov. I’m certain that, just as now, professional principles did not concern you then either. By taking on this case, you have earned yourself a “trouble-free head,” a comfortable retirement, and other privileges. Driven by the desire to gain these things, you overlook what you’ve lost. Because I do not believe moral issues or principles matter to you.

You should know that the same people you sold your independence to today might discard you tomorrow once your usefulness has expired. Start now to plan how you’ll stage a trial to clear your name when that day comes. And give it some serious thought. Maybe one day you’ll gather the courage to give an interview to us, the very journalists you helped imprison about your role in the “Abzas Media case.”

I have no expectations from this court. Because for years, as those in charge of this country have trampled on citizens’ rights, and on freedom of expression and the media, the courts and law enforcement agencies of this country have stood among those polishing their boots.

The verdict you will announce, and what is written in it, does not matter. We are the independent journalists of this country. We have no obligation to please the president. As independent journalists, we will continue our professional work both in prison and after prison. We will not recognize censorship, and we will not surrender to those who want to silence free speech.