Avaz Zeynalli, Investigative Journalist and Media Executive, Dies at 56

Early Life and Education

Avaz Tapdig oglu Zeynalli was born on January 1, 1970, in the village of Aghbulag, located in the Goycha district of the Armenian SSR. His early life was marked by the regional instability of the late 1980s, which led to his deportation from Armenia alongside other ethnic Azerbaijanis in 1988. Following this displacement, he served in the Soviet army from 1988 to 1990, a period that preceded his transition into higher education.

In 1991, Zeynalli moved to Turkey to pursue his academic interests at Ankara University. He enrolled in the Faculty of Law, where he completed his studies in 1999. Upon returning to Azerbaijan, he began his professional career in journalism, utilizing his legal background to inform his critical approach to reporting and public discourse.

Career and Accomplishments

Zeynalli established himself as a significant figure in the Azerbaijani media landscape through his work as an investigative journalist and critic. He founded the Xural newspaper and later expanded his reach by establishing the Xural Media Group and the Xural TV YouTube channel. These platforms became known for their focus on political analysis and investigative reporting, often challenging the status quo in the country.

Throughout his career, Zeynalli faced numerous legal challenges and periods of imprisonment, which he consistently maintained were politically motivated responses to his professional activities. In 2011, he was arrested following a complaint from a ruling party parliamentarian, and he was later detained again in 2022 on bribery charges. Despite these obstacles, he continued to advocate for his work and maintained his role as a prominent voice in independent media until his health declined.

Notable Works and Contributions

Beyond his daily journalism, Zeynalli was a prolific author and translator who sought to bring diverse perspectives to the Azerbaijani public. He authored the 40-volume Selcanin Memleketi, a series of prison diaries written during his various periods of incarceration. Additionally, he was known for his translation work, including the publication of Daniel Yergin’s The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power and a translation of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf.

Zeynalli also engaged in social advocacy, most notably proposing the establishment of a national Valentine's Day in Azerbaijan. He suggested that June 30, the wedding anniversary of 20 January martyrs Ilham and Fariza, be celebrated as a day of love. This initiative reflected his broader interest in shaping national identity and cultural memory through his public platform.

Personal Life and Legacy

Zeynalli was married to Melahat Zeynalli, who is also a journalist, and the couple shared two daughters. His family remained a central part of his life, even during his extended periods of detention. His lawyer, Rashad Vagifoglu, confirmed that Zeynalli passed away on September 28, 2026, following a battle with metastatic colon cancer that had been diagnosed while he was in prison.

The legacy of Avaz Zeynalli is defined by his persistent, often controversial, efforts to hold power to account through his media outlets. While his career was marked by frequent conflict with authorities and long-term imprisonment, he remains a notable figure for those who follow the development of independent journalism in the region. His death at the age of 56 marks the end of a career that spanned decades of political and social change in Azerbaijan.