Azerbaijan's 'Kanal 11' Director Arrested Amid Rising Media Tensions
On December 11, Teymur Karimov, the head of "Kanal 11" internet television, was detained by police officers. "On December 11, based on a complaint received from several citizens, a criminal case was opened against Teymur Karimov under the article of extortion by threat of the Criminal Code. Currently, investigative actions are underway," Ibrahim Amiraslanli, a press officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, noted.
In the statement of "Kanal 11" Internet TV, it is said that Teymur Karimov has disappeared since the morning of December 11. It is mentioned in the statement that Teymur Karimov was seriously persecuted after the video report about the former head of Dashkasan district executive power, Ahad Abiyev, which was broadcast on "Kanal 11" and "Azad Soz" internet televisions. "So, a policeman came to his house and said there was a complaint against him. When we went to the police station, we were told the names were wrong. In addition, he was repeatedly called to the police station under various pretexts or calls were made to him to prevent the distribution of the video report," the statement said. The document added that after that, Teymur Karimov was subjected to physical violence by police officers, and the said veterans objected to it. "Teymur Karimov was again threatened to delete the video reports. He was invited for an explanation. In the last year, several journalists who fought for freedom of speech and felt it their duty to convey the right voice of the citizens were arrested in Azerbaijan. We think that Teymur Karimov is the next victim of the repression machine that started before the elections," the statement of Internet TV stated.
On December 12, the Narimanov District Court of Baku convicted Teymur Karimov, the head of "Kanal 11" Internet TV, to a 4-month preventive measure. According to the lawyer, Teymur Karimova is found guilty under articles 182.2.2 and 182.2.4 (extortion by threat).
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