Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General’s Office summons exiled individuals facing multiple charges.
The Prosecutor General’s Office of Azerbaijan has sent official notifications to the individuals who have emigrated from the country, including bloggers, businessmen, and heads of internet channels, all of whom are facing a range of charges. Among those called in are Ilgar Hajiyev, Mohammad Mirzali, Gurban Mammadov, Elshad Mammadov, Gabil Mammadov, and Tural Sadigli, all of whom have been accused under the article 467-13.4 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Procedure Code.
One of the key figures summoned is Ilgar Hajiyev, the head of “Akkord” company, which had been one of the prominent construction firms in Azerbaijan and won many government tenders. Hajiyev, who is currently living in exile, has been an outspoken critic of the Azerbaijani government in recent years. His vocal opposition has led to his being accused of fraud under Article 178.3.2 of the Criminal Code. A search has been launched for him, and a detention order has been issued.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has set July 14 for Hajiyev’s expected appearance at the Investigation Department.
Bloggers Mohammad Mirzali and Qabil Mammadov have also been summoned by the Prosecutor General’s Office.
Mohammad Mirzali is a member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) currently living in France. Mirzali claims that he organized the “End Soldier Deaths!” rally in Goychay, which led to persecution and mistreatment by the authorities. He asserts that he was taken into police custody before fleeing the country, and his father was repeatedly summoned and threatened by police. Attempts to get a response from law enforcement regarding these claims have not been successful. The government has consistently denied allegations of political persecution.
Mirzali, who was reportedly stabbed while in France, has been linked to multiple charges in Azerbaijan, including active disobedience to legal demands and incitement to mass riots, under Articles 220.2 and 281.1 of the Criminal Code. He faces accusations of inciting violence against citizens and calling for a violent overthrow of the government, which he denies as politically motivated.
Gabil Mammadov, another blogger critical of the government, has also been summoned by the Prosecutor General’s Office. He faces charges under 24 articles of the Criminal Code, including terrorism.
Additionally, Gurban Mammadov, a lawyer and the head of the “Azerifreedom” channel, has been accused of terrorism and multiple other charges. Mammadov, who went into exile after facing numerous arrests in Azerbaijan, is recognized as a political prisoner by human rights defenders. However, Azerbaijani officials reject the existence of political prisoners in the country.
Tural Sadigli, the head of the “Azad Soz” channel, is also among the exiled individuals summoned. He faces accusations of inciting mass riots and other illegal activities. Sadigli has been placed on the wanted list, and a detention order has been issued in absentia.
As of now, attempts to reach the individuals involved for comment have not been successful. However, those summoned have previously denied the charges, attributing them to their critical activities and political dissent.
The investigation and charges against these individuals have sparked international concern, with many calling attention to the broader issue of freedom of expression and political persecution in Azerbaijan. Despite the government’s denials, these developments continue to draw scrutiny from human rights organizations and foreign governments.
As of now, it has not been possible to obtain individual comments on these cases from the people involved. However, they have generally denied the accusations against them in the past, explaining them as a result of their critical activities.
