Hafiz Babali is an Azerbaijani journalist whose career spans more than thirty years of economic reporting and investigative journalism. Born on 9 September 1971, he served as Economics Editor at Turan News Agency and contributed investigations to Abzas Media and other independent outlets. His reporting examines the use of public funds, corruption and the commercial interests of senior officials, helping readers scrutinise government spending and the relationship between business and political power.

Babali was detained on 13 December 2023 and prosecuted in the “Abzas Media case”. On 20 June 2025, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced him to nine years’ imprisonment. His cassation appeal was dismissed by the Supreme Court on 3 April 2026, leaving the sentence in force.

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 work in the media. International organisations recognise him as a political prisoner.