The staff of the media organization state that judges have still not investigated their complaints regarding the physical and psychological violence they have faced in the detention center.

The imprisoned director of “Abzas Media,” Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief Sevinc Vagifgizi (Abbasova), and journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova refused to attend the court hearing scheduled for February 18.

Lawyers explained that the reason for their refusal was the court’s failure to investigate their complaints about physical violence and inhumane treatment they have been subjected to in Baku Pretrial Detention Facility No. 1.

The “Abzas Media” staff had also refused to attend the hearing scheduled for February 11. In a statement released shortly before that session, the journalists noted that the detention center employees responsible for violence against them had not yet been held accountable.

“This means that such treatment towards us is being ordered by the government. The reason is that we have been exposing the unlawful activities taking place in the detention center. Under no circumstances will we turn a blind eye to these illegalities,” the statement read.

Lawyer Elchin Sadigov told “Voice of America” that they had also filed complaints about being transported to court in inhumane conditions, being brought separately, and being held in the basement of the court.

“They particularly complained about the lack of any proper conditions, the overcrowding of detainees in a confined space, and the negative impact on their health. That’s why they refused to come,” the lawyer said.

Sadigov also stated that they had requested the court to issue a letter to the Penitentiary Service confirming that the detainees had no objection to being transported together. However, the court has yet to provide an official response to this request.

At the hearing on February 18, only three of the defendants—Hafiz Babali, Farid Mehralizade, and Mohammad Kekalov—were present. They had previously stated that they were brought to the court by force.

The next court hearing for the journalists is scheduled for March 4.

Since November 20, 2023, six employees of “Abzas Media,” a publication conducting corruption investigations in Azerbaijan—director Ulvi Hasanli, his deputy Mahammad Kekalov, editor-in-chief Sevinc Vagifgizi, reporters Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova, and investigative journalist Hafiz Babali—have been arrested as part of the “Abzas Media case.” Additionally, in May of last year, journalist and economist Farid Mehralizade from “Radio Liberty” was also detained in connection with the case.

All journalists were initially accused of smuggling. In August of last year, the charges against those arrested in the “Abzas Media case” were escalated. Considering the additional charges brought by the investigation, they now face prison sentences ranging from 8 to 12 years.

Local and international human rights organizations consider these arrests politically motivated and have called for the journalists’ release and the dismissal of the charges against t