This week in Azerbaijan, Human Rights Watch reported a rise in politically motivated prosecutions against journalists and activists living abroad, communist activists were detained in Baku, and the European Court of Human Rights fined the Azerbaijani government over its treatment of the “Azadlıq” newspaper.
Human Rights Watch reports on politically motivated charges against activists living abroad.
On November 27, Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned that the Azerbaijani authorities have intensified repression against independent journalists and political activists living abroad. Giorgi Gogia, deputy director of HRW’s Europe and Central Asia division, stated that exile-based journalists, bloggers, and political analysts have faced politically motivated charges, including in absentia arrest warrants.
According to HRW, the targeted individuals have committed no illegal acts but are being prosecuted for criticizing the Azerbaijani government’s human rights record. Since March 2025, a number of criminal investigations have been launched against exiled bloggers, often accompanied by in absentia detentions.
Among those affected are journalists Sevinj Osmangizi and Ganimat Zahid, historian Altay Goyushov, bloggers Gabil Mammadov, Tural Sadigli, Mahammad Mirzali, and political commentator Arastun Orujlu.
Lawyer Samad Rahimli prepared a report titled “Criminal Proceedings in Absentia: Azerbaijan’s Tool Against Exiled Critics”, documenting how the authorities are extending repression beyond national borders. The report highlights threats including in absentia trials, international arrest warrants, extradition requests, digital attacks, and pressure on family members remaining in Azerbaijan, creating further obstacles for exiled critics.
Communist activists detained for three months
Photo: Screenshot from video
On November 26, communist activists Abdulla Ibrahimli, Ibrahim Asadli, and several others were detained in Baku and placed under a three-month pretrial detention by the Nizami District Court. The detainees were charged under Article 233 of the Criminal Code for “organizing or actively participating in actions that disrupt public order” after attempting a march displaying the former USSR and Azerbaijani SSR flags.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the activists had allegedly organized meetings and rented offices with foreign support. The authorities have not released statements from the detainees or their families.
Political prisoners report threats in custody
Afiaddin Mammadov. Photo: Meydan TV
Afiaddin Mammadov, chairman of the Confederation of Workers’ Desk Trade Unions, along with other political prisoners at the No. 2 penitentiary, reportedly face threats. According to relatives, the threats began after the creation of the Political Prisoners Defense Committee on November 24, which aims to counter smear campaigns against political prisoners and advocate for their release.
Other threatened prisoners include political activist Samir Ashurov and Azerbaijani Popular Front Party (AXCP) member Mahman Aliyev. Prisoners report limited visitation rights and verbal warnings that any provocation would be orchestrated by high-level officials, including the Minister of Justice and the head of the Penitentiary Service.
European Court of Human Rights fines Azerbaijani government over “Azadliq” newspaper case
On November 25, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued a decision in favor of the “Azadliq” newspaper, which had been sued by former Baku Metro head Taghi Ahmadov in 2012. Local courts had required the newspaper to publish a retraction and pay €30,600 in damages over a report claiming misappropriation of public funds.
The ECHR found the fines disproportionate and ordered the Azerbaijani government to pay €25,000 in material damages, €3,000 in moral damages, and €1,500 in legal costs. The court noted that domestic courts had failed to properly distinguish between expressions of public interest and personal assessments. Taghi Ahmadov led the Baku Metro from 1998 to 2014 and later headed the YAP Yasamal District branch. He passed away last year. “Azadliq” ceased print publication in 2016 and has been blocked in Azerbaijan since 2017.
