human rights defender

Fatima Movlamli

Actions and Campaigns

© Social Media

Urgent support needed

International monitoring of prison conditions

Organization affiliation

  • Meydan TV

HRD's year of birth

2000

HRD's Gender

Woman

Type of HRD

  • Journalist/Blogger

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights

HRD's geographical origin

Urban

HRD's bio and work

Fatima Movlamli is an Azerbaijani independent journalist and civic activist. She has contributed to JAMnews and Mikroskop Media and worked with Meydan TV as a freelance reporter. Her reporting covers human rights violations, police conduct, women’s rights and public protests. She has also participated in individual protests against government policies.

On 28 February 2025, Movlamli was arrested in connection with the “Meydan TV case”. On 1 March 2025, the Khatai District Court ordered her pretrial detention. Additional charges were brought against her on 28 August 2025. She remains detained while her trial alongside the other defendants continues before the Baku Grave Crimes Court.

She was charged with multiple offences, including money laundering, tax evasion, and other alleged financial and economic offences. She and her 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 media. International organisations recognise her as a political prisoner.

Current Status

In prison (pre-trial)

Detained since

Feb 28, 2025

Charge(s)

  • Financial crimes

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Asia: Western Asia

Location of detention - City/Town

Baku

Location of detention - Facility

Baku Pre-Trial Detention Centre

Allegations / reports of ill-treatment

Fatima Movlamli has reportedly experienced harassment and abuse linked to her journalism and activism, including a five-day abduction in 2018 and the subsequent dissemination of private photographs and videos. During her current detention, she has reported being beaten by prison escort officers. On 9 March 2026, her mother reported that Movlamli had begun a hunger strike in protest against restrictions preventing direct contact with family members during visits.

Recent case update / evolution

On 12 October 2026, witnesses were questioned before the Baku Grave Crimes Court in the “Meydan TV case”, in which Fatima Movlamli is a defendant. The trial remains ongoing.

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