On December 6, a criminal case was initiated against independent journalist Ramin Deko (Jabrailzade) and Meydan TV employee Khayala Aghayeva on charges of "smuggling." 

The journalists were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to smuggling by a group of people who had previously conspired. Meydan TV editor-in-chief Aynur Elgunesh (Ganbarova), employees Aytaj Tapdig (Ahmedova), and Natig Javadli also face charges under the same article. Deko's lawyer, Vusal Safarov, stated that Deko was taken to a temporary detention center. Meydan TV editor Orkhan Mammad reported that Deko was physically pressured during his detention, noting bruises under his eyes, and was left without a lawyer for a significant period. Mammad added that other detainees were also poorly treated, with some facing physical pressure and deprivation of legal representation.

On December 7, a list of other detainees connected to the case was released, including photojournalist Ahmad Mukhtar, media worker Ulvi Tahirov, sports journalist Rashad Ergun, animal rights activist Kamran Mammadli, and relatives of the detainees, Elnur Jabbarzade and Yunis Rzayev. While Yunis Rzayev, Kamran Mammadli, and Rashad Ergun were released after 25 hours, Ulvi Tahirov was reportedly charged with smuggling. 

The detention of the journalists has sparked concern from international human rights organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which condemned the arrests and expressed alarm over the ongoing persecution of the media in Azerbaijan. CPJ noted that the charges against the journalists appeared to be retaliation for their independent reporting.

On December 8, the Khatai District Court sentenced the Meydan TV employees and Ramin Deko to four months in pretrial detention. The journalists denied the smuggling charges and linked the case to their journalistic activities. 

Additionally, Azer Gasimli, the head of the Institute of Political Management, was detained on December 8 under charges of extortion by threat or use of force, which his lawyer claimed were politically motivated. Gasimli's wife, Samira, condemned the detention, asserting it was retaliation for his outspoken criticism of President Ilham Aliyev.