Ulvi Hasanli is an investigative journalist, media freedom defender and civil society activist. He is the co-founder and Director of Abzas Media, one of Azerbaijan’s leading independent investigative media outlets. Under his leadership, Abzas Media has investigated high-level corruption, public procurement, the business interests of senior state officials and their families, human rights violations, environmental and social issues, and the use of public funds in reconstruction projects. Before establishing Abzas Media, he was active in several civic and youth movements promoting democratic participation and fundamental freedoms. 

Ulvi Hasanli has faced repeated harassment and detention in connection with his civic and journalistic activities. On 20 November 2023, he was detained while travelling to the airport. Police subsequently searched his home and the Abzas Media office, claiming to have found EUR 40,000. Ulvi Hasanli and his colleagues stated that the money had been planted and that the criminal case was retaliation for Abzas Media’s investigations into high-level corruption. The original smuggling charge was later expanded to include illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, tax evasion and document-related offences.

On 20 June 2025, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Ulvi Hasanli to nine years’ imprisonment. The Baku Court of Appeal upheld the conviction on 9 September 2025, and on 3 April 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed his cassation appeal and upheld the previous court decisions.

He was convicted on multiple criminal charges, including money laundering, tax evasion, and other alleged financial and economic offences. He and his co-defendants have consistently rejected all charges, maintaining that the criminal proceedings against them are politically motivated and linked to their legitimate and professional works within civil society. International organisations recognise him as a political prisoner.