Alasgar Mammadli is a media rights lawyer, journalist and civil society expert. He is the founder and director of Toplum TV, one of Azerbaijan’s leading independent online media outlets, known for its reporting on political developments, corruption, human rights and social issues.

For many years, Mammadli has worked to promote freedom of expression, media pluralism, access to information and legal protection for journalists. Alasgar Mammadli has been an outspoken critic of restrictive media legislation and government pressure on independent journalism. Through his legal analysis, public commentary and media work, he has documented limitations on press freedom and advocated for Azerbaijan’s compliance with international freedom-of-expression standards. Toplum TV became one of the country’s few remaining independent media platforms amid the closure, blocking and prosecution of other critical outlets.

On 8 March 2024, Mammadli was arrested following police raids targeting Toplum TV and associated civil society organisations. He was initially charged with currency smuggling; in January 2025, the authorities added several financial and employment-related charges, including illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering and tax evasion. Mammadli denied all allegations, describing the case as fabricated and politically motivated. On 27 July 2026, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment. 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.