Nargiz Absalamova is an independent journalist who worked with Abzas Media. She was severely injured and left unable to walk after she was assaulted by police during a protest in December 2021 against the new media law.      

On November 30, 2023, Absalamova was summoned to the Baku Main Police Department as a witness in connection to the arrest of Ulvi Hasanli, Mahhamad Kakelov, and Sevinj Vagifgizi under charges of conspiring to bring money into the country unlawfully. After being summoned for questioning, Absalamova was detained and charged with smuggling. On December 1, 2023, the Khatai District Court placed Absalamova under three months of pre-trial detention. On December 26, the Khatai District Court dismissed the motion of her lawyer concerning transferring Absalamova under house arrest. 

Absalamova is kept in inadequate prison conditions. She has a spinal injury and is experiencing back pain because of the lack of an orthopedic mattress. She does not have enough water to maintain adequate hygiene. Authorities banned her phone calls with the family and a lawyer.

On March 1, 2024, during a hearing at the Baku Court of Appeal, plainclothes prison guards interfered with Absalamova’s right to a defense. They denied her right to speak with her lawyer in the courtroom, claiming Absalamova could not meet with her lawyer without a judge present. The guards also refused to let Absalamova exit the defendant’s cage during the hearing after she received permission from the judge. 

Absalamova’s pre-trial detention was extended until June 20, 2024. In June, the court prolonged her detention term for another three months.

On August 16, 2024, authorities amended the indictment and brought new charges against Absalamova including illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, tax evasion, and document forgery.