FARID MEHRALIZADE
Economist and former head of a research team, currently imprisoned on disputed charges related to his independent economic analyses and criticism of government policies.
About Farid Mehralizadeh
Farid Mehralizade was born on 22 November 1994, in Baku.
From 2012 to 2016, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in finance at the Azerbaijan State University of Economics. From 2017 to 2019, he pursued his master’s degree in economic policy at Istanbul University. In the interim, from 2016 to 2017, he completed military service.
After completing his master’s studies in Turkey, Farid Mehralizade began working in the banking sector in Azerbaijan. He also worked as an economic expert, researcher, and financial analyst in the private sector and media.
Farid Mehralizade was the head of a “Business Research Division” at a local bank in Azerbaijan.
He was known for analysing statistical data from various government agencies and conveying the actual situation behind the numbers to the public in simple terms. Due to this, he was frequently invited as an expert to TV channels under government control, where he discussed various socio-economic topics.
In addition to providing expert analysis for various media outlets, Farid Mehralizade also conducted his research as an economist. His works were published across different platforms, primarily focusing on economic policy, sustainable development, social policy, regional issues, and income inequality. He also collaborated as a researcher with Radio Liberty and contributed to the educational platform Akinchi from 2020 onwards.
On 30 May 2024, Farid Mehralizade was detained in connection with a criminal case involving Abzas Media. His apartment and car were searched, but nothing significant about the case was found. Nevertheless, the police seized his car, which has not yet been returned to his family. The vehicle has been impounded.
Later, Farid Mehralizade reported that when leaving his house on 30 May, a bag was placed over his head, and he was forcibly taken into a vehicle. The bag was only removed when they arrived at the police station.
Initially, on 1 June, Farid Mehralizade, like other journalists involved in the “Abzas Media” case, was charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling by a group of persons acting in collusion). In August, the charges against the detained journalists, including Farid Mehralizade, were escalated. He faced additional charges under Articles 192.3.2 (illegal entrepreneurship, mainly when resulting in substantial income), 193-1.3.1, 193-1.3.2 (legalisation of substantial property obtained through criminal means by an organised group), 206.4 (smuggling by an organised group), 213.2.1 (tax evasion by an organised group), and 320.1 and 320.2 (forgery of documents or use of forged documents). The penalties for these charges include up to 12 years of imprisonment.
Farid Mehralizade is currently being held at the Baku Detention Center in Kurdakhani, and the Main Police Department of Baku City is investigating his case. The pretrial detention period has been extended until December 20.
The 30-year-old economist denies any guilt and rejects all the charges. He claims his arrest is illegal and believes he is being punished for his research and analyses. Farid maintains that he has no connection to “Abzas Media”, yet the criminal case is linked to his detention, which he finds absurd. “Abzas Media” also has a statement confirming that they have never associated with Farid Mehralizade.
Resources about Farid Mehralizade
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