Azerbaijani Court Replaces Entire Judicial Panel in Meydan TV Trial, Raising Fears of Retrial

Azerbaijan’s Baku Court of Grave Crimes replaced the entire judicial panel overseeing the trial of twelve Meydan TV journalists charged with alleged financial crimes, prompting defense lawyers to warn the case may have to restart and drawing condemnation from international rights groups as part of a broader crackdown on independent media; multiple hearings have been postponed and the next is scheduled for July.