Azerbaijani authorities last week detained Gunel Guliyeva, making her the 25th reporter imprisoned on spurious charges in 18 months as the government moves to extinguish dissenting media voices.
Guliyeva is the 11th journalist arrested in the wide-ranging probe of Meydan TV, Azerbaijan’s largest exile-based independent outlet. The entire Meydan newsroom has been in pre-trial custody since December 2024. When questioned in January 2025, Guliyeva was placed under a travel ban, she denies any employment with Meydan TV, adding that such work would not be criminal in any case.
Renowned for her independent coverage, Guliyeva served as Voice of America’s Azerbaijan correspondent until February 2025, when officials revoked VOA’s accreditation. Her recent reports covered the trials of opposition veteran Tofig Yagublu—sentenced to nine years in March 2025—and of journalists from the now-exiled Abzas Media.
Press-freedom advocates have condemned the escalating crackdown and are calling for the immediate release of all journalists held on politically motivated charges.