Ali Zeynalov is an Azerbaijani journalist, trainer and civil society activist. His career in local and international media began in 2016 and has included reporting, presenting and fact-checking. Through his work with the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI), he contributed to journalism training and initiatives supporting independent media.

On 6 March 2024, Zeynalov was detained during the police operation targeting Toplum TV and IDI and subsequently prosecuted in the “Toplum TV case”. On 27 July 2026, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment and imposed a two-and-a-half-year ban on holding certain positions.

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 professional activities in civil society. International organisations recognise him as a political prisoner.