Shamshad Aghayev is a journalist and editor of the independent media outlet Argument. For years he cooperated with various independent media, including Meydan TV, and hosted a program on Toplum TV. In 2024, Aghayev was identified as a witness in criminal investigations concerning both Toplum TV and Meydan TV crackdown. During his questioning, the Azerbaijani authorities imposed a travel ban on him.

On February 5, 2025, Aghayev was arrested during a pre-dawn raid to search his home. During the house search, law enforcement authorities seized electronic devices, including phones, memory cards, a computer, a modem, and his journalist credentials. Aghayev was taken into custody without being charged with a specific crime..

Later, the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed his arrest under smuggling charges. The Khatai District Court ordered him to be kept in pre-trial detention for two months and one day.