Aytaj Tapdyg (Ahmadova)
Affiliated media: Meydan TV, Employee
Incident date: February 19, 2026
Attack type:
- Non-fatal attack / beating / injury / torture
Who attacked: Authorities
Source: Abzas Media
Location: Azerbaijan, Baku
Additional information:
Journalists Aytaj Ahmadova, Aysel Umudova, and Khayala Aghayeva, who were arrested in connection with the Meydan TV case, have reportedly been subjected to violence by staff at the No. 1 Baku Pretrial Detention Center. According to Ahmadova’s mother, detention center personnel used force against the journalists, and Ahmadova’s health deteriorated during the incident. In a public statement circulated in the media, Ahmadova alleged that they were subjected to physical and psychological pressure, as well as verbal abuse by prison officials. She described the incident as follows: “Detention center officers insulted me and Khayala, twisted our arms, forced our heads down, and removed us from the cell. In the corridor, more than 20 officers used violence against us. They twisted our arms behind our backs and held our heads down. The deputy head of the detention center verbally harassed us."