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“Samadov‘s case is part of a broader trend of increasing arrests of journalists, human rights activists, and civil society representatives in Azerbaijan since last year…”

(Lack of) Human Rights and Freedoms

In the Sabail District Court, a four-month pre-trial detention was ordered for political analyst Bahruz Samadov, who was detained last week. He is being charged under Article 274 of the Criminal Code (treason). This charge carries a potential sentence of 12 to 20 years or life imprisonment. Lawyer Zibeyde Sadigova has stated that they will appeal the decision. Samadov pleaded not guilty in court and claimed that he has been subjected to pressure. According to the lawyer, the Sabail District Court has decided to refer the complaint to the prosecutor’s office for further review. Samadov is a Ph.D. candidate at Charles University in the Czech Republic. He is an opponent of the war. During the 44-day war in 2020 and the military operations conducted in Karabakh last year, he accused Azerbaijan of carrying out ethnic cleansing against Armenians. Additionally, he has been known for his outspoken opposition to the Azerbaijani government.

This year’s “Free Media Awards” was awarded to “Abzas Media.” The independent Azerbaijani publication “Abzas Media” has been rewarded with the 2024 “Free Media Awards” for its resolute and systematic investigations into corruption. This award, presented by the Fritt Ord Foundation in Norway and the ZEIT Stiftung Bucerius foundation in Germany, is primarily given to independent journalists and media outlets in the post-Soviet region who continue their work despite facing threats. According to the competition organizers’ statement, the “Abzas Media” website is recognized for its investigations into the corrupt activities of government officials. Additionally, the publication has investigated human rights violations in Azerbaijan.

On August 22, the Khatai District Court of Baku extended the detention period of Imran Aliyev, the founder of the “Meclis.info” website, by three months. His relatives provided this information. Imran Aliyev was detained at Baku International Airport on April 18. He has been charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed by an organized group) and was initially placed in custody for two months and one day. Later, he was also charged under Article 206.3.1 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed repeatedly). Although Imran Aliyev was initially detained in connection with the “Abzas Media case,” investigators later stated that the criminal case was being handled separately. Local and international human rights organizations consider Imran Aliyev‘s detention to be politically motivated.

Mugavimet Movement (The Resistance) issue a statement on the recent increase in arrests and the new “treason” charge. The statement says: On July 22, one of the founders of the “Talysh National Academy” and the editor-in-chief of its publication “Talysh National Academy News,” Igbal Abilov, was detained. Accused of “treason,” Abilov’s defense was overlooked by groups that call themselves “civil society” and the “public sector.” The likely initial reasons for this neglect are, first, that Abilov is Talysh, and second, that these groups do not expect anyone from their circles to be accused on the same grounds. Political scientist, Charles University Ph.D. student, and public activist Bahruz Samadov was detained by the State Security Service. Once again, the same charge. The reactionary Ilham Aliyev regime, which acts as a puppet of imperialism in Azerbaijan, believes it can accuse anyone it wants, both because it can convince the majority due to the discourse it created after the war and because of the widespread repression of the past year. The shamelessness of the Azerbaijani government is clear to all of us. The charge of “treason,” which neither Igbal nor Bahruz could possibly commit, is the new drug or smuggling accusation. If we do not take a firm stand against this and fail to secure the release of Bahruz and Igbal, tomorrow any of us could be deprived of our freedom under the same charge. In the current situation, we must, at a minimum, attend the trials of Igbal and Bahruz and make every effort to secure their release. It is time to set aside personal conflicts, unite, and work together. Otherwise, the iron fist of the government will come down on all of us.”

Activist with first degree disability Famil Khalilov is on hunger strike protesting his illegal detention. Accoridng to his family, Khalilov faces pressure and violence to stop hunger strike. A fellow detainee named Ali insulted and cursed Khalilov, threatening him with a punch to his face and demanding that he stop his hunger strike. Another detainee, used abusive language involving Khalilov‘s mother and sister, shouting these insults aggressively.

The European Union has called on Azerbaijan to release journalists and activists. The EU urged Azerbaijan to respect the rights of a well-known scholar who was arrested after openly criticizing the government. Speaking to Politico, Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European Union’s foreign affairs department, expressed that Brussels is closely monitoring the case of young scholar Bahruz Samadov, who “advocates for peace in the South Caucasus.” Stano noted that Samadov‘s case is part of a broader trend of increasing arrests of journalists, human rights activists, and civil society representatives in Azerbaijan since last year. The EU spokesperson called for the release of all individuals detained for exercising their fundamental rights. Stano also emphasized that the European Union urges Azerbaijan to ensure transparency in the cases of detainees and to guarantee that they are held in dignified conditions.

On August 23, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes held a trial for Tofig Yagublu, a member of the Müsavat Party and the National Council. Yagublu was arrested on December 14 of the previous year. He faces criminal charges under Articles 178.3.2 (fraud causing significant damage), 320.1 (forgery of official documents, state awards, seals, stamps, and blanks), and 320.2 (knowingly using forged documents) of the Criminal Code. Yagublu denies the charges, asserting that his arrest is politically motivated due to his activism. Yagublu claims that Elshan Huseynov, who testified against him and is considered one of the reasons for his arrest, has a son working in Israel’s intelligence services. The political activist presented photos in court to support this claim, showing the Israeli president awarding Jalal Huseynov and meeting with his mother. Yagublu discussed this matter during his trial at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes on August 23. Elshan Huseynov is recognized as a victim in the case against Yagublu. Huseynov alleges that he gave 25,000 euros and 10,000 manats to Yagublu through Elnur Mammadov to facilitate his travel to Germany for medical treatment and to secure residency there. Yaqublu denies the charges, asserting that both Elnur Mammadov and Elshan Huseynov are under the control of law enforcement agencies and are being used to arrest others when needed. In a previous court session, Huseynov stated that he could have gone to Israel, Germany, or Belarus for treatment, but chose Germany. He also claimed in response to questions that he had never been to Israel and had no connections there. Yagublu questioned Huseynov’s credibility, saying, “He claimed he had no one in Israel and had never been there, but the person accusing me has a son, Jalal Aliyev, working in Israeli intelligence. With his son there, why didn’t he go to Israel for treatment? Why would he give me 25,000 euros and 10,000 manats?”

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