2025 Human Rights Update – Azerbaijan

Throughout 2025, authorities in Azerbaijan continued and consolidated a systematic crackdown on civic space, affecting independent media, civil society, political opposition, academics, labour activists, and religious communities. The year was marked by the routine criminalisation of journalism and civic activism through spurious “economic crimes,” tax offences, smuggling charges, and allegations of extremism or threats to constitutional order.

Independent media outlets were subjected to arrests, aggravated charges, prolonged pre-trial detention, prison transfers, and, in several cases, lengthy prison sentences. Pre-trial detention was used extensively and punitively, often extended repeatedly without individualized judicial reasoning, alongside administrative detention for peaceful protest and expression.

Serious concerns regarding ill-treatment and denial of medical care in detention persisted, including reports of beatings, solitary confinement, hunger strikes, and at least one death in custody under contested circumstances. Fair trial guarantees were systematically undermined, with reports of closed or restricted hearings, bans on audio and video recording, pressure on witnesses, civil claims filed by state bodies during criminal proceedings, and courts’ routine dismissal of defence motions.

Political opposition, particularly members and leadership of the Popular Front Party and the National Council, faced arrest, prolonged detention, travel bans, administrative detention, workplace retaliation, and renewed criminal investigations. Freedom of religion or belief was restricted through arrests of religious activists, including women detained for religious charity activities and protest, as well as harsh treatment of Muslim Unity Movement–affiliated prisoners.

Transnational repression intensified, including in-absentia trials of exiled journalists and bloggers, travel bans imposed on relatives, and deportation or extradition risks for critics abroad. Surveillance and misuse of state power raised acute concerns, notably through reported Pegasus spyware targeting and a regulation granting the State Security Service sweeping access to citizens’ personal data, later removed without explanation.

I. SHRINKING CIVIC SPACE IN AZERBAIJAN

In 2025, Azerbaijan’s civic space remained severely restricted, with the authorities maintaining and deepening a multi-layered strategy to suppress dissent, eliminate independent voices and civic engagement. The pattern observed from early 2025 through the end of the year reflects continuity, with repression becoming increasingly normalized across institutions.

From January onwards, criminal law and administrative measures were used as primary tools to silence criticism. Journalists, human rights defenders, labor activists, political opponents, scholars, and religious figures were subjected to arrests, raids, travel bans, and prosecutions on charges widely described by defendants and observers as fabricated or politically motivated. Pre-trial detention became a default measure, often extended repeatedly, while courts routinely rejected alternatives such as house arrest.

Independent media faced near-total incapacitation. Journalists affiliated with Abzas Media, Meydan TV, Toplum TV, Kanal 13 and other linked platforms were arrested, charged under similar “economic crimes” provisions, and held in prolonged detention. Trials were marked by procedural irregularities, restrictions on public scrutiny, and retaliatory measures against both defendants and their family members, including travel bans, bank account restrictions, and forced prison transfers far from their place of residence.

Civil society and political opposition were similarly targeted. Long-standing criminal investigations were reopened and expanded in 2025, leading to new arrests and aggravated charges against civil society actors. Members and leaders of opposition parties faced detention, administrative arrests, and renewed pressure, while peaceful protest actions were met with swift punitive responses.

Conditions of detention and treatment of detainees raised grave human rights concerns throughout the year. Multiple detainees reported beatings, threats, denial of medical treatment, and placement in solitary confinement. Hunger strikes were repeatedly used by prisoners as a last resort to protest conditions or procedural abuses, with some cases involving severe deterioration of health. At least one opposition activist died in custody in December, with the circumstances disputed by family members.

Religious communities and activists also faced repression. Women detained for religious charity activities or expressions of solidarity, as well as members of the Muslim Unity Movement, reported ill-treatment, punitive detention conditions, and hunger strikes.

By late 2025, the cumulative effect of these measures was the near erasure of independent civic activity. The convergence of criminal prosecutions, judicial acquiescence, administrative harassment, surveillance, and transnational repression demonstrates a consolidated system aimed at preventing scrutiny, silencing dissent, and insulating authorities from accountability.

These developments raise profound concerns under multiple provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and underscore the need for sustained engagement by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, including through monitoring procedures, individual case scrutiny, and coordination with other Council of Europe bodies.

II. THEMATIC FINDINGS

1. Criminalisation of Independent Media and the “Economic Crimes” Playbook

Throughout 2025, Azerbaijani authorities repeatedly targeted independent journalists and media outlets through criminal prosecutions framed as “economic crimes”, including smuggling, tax evasion, illegal entrepreneurship, fraud, and extortion. These charges were applied across multiple outlets and journalists, often following searches, confiscation of equipment, and prolonged pre-trial detention. The pattern suggests a coordinated strategy to dismantle independent journalism rather than address genuine financial offences.

Abzas Media case:

In June 2025, seven Abzas Media journalists were sentenced to prison terms of up to nine years on economic charges. During 2025, detained Abzas Media journalists reported ill-treatment and denial of medical care. In September 2025, journalists Sevinc Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova were transferred without notice to a prison in Lenkoran, far from their registered place of residence, and reported missing personal belongings.

Meydan TV case:

From December 2024 through 2025, twelve journalists were arrested and held in pre-trial detention on smuggling-related charges. Courts repeatedly extended detention periods in September and December 2025. In December 2025, the Baku Serious Crimes Court rejected requests for audio and video recording of hearings, despite public interest.

Toplum TV case:

Proceedings continued throughout 2025, with defendants reporting confiscation of equipment, contradictory witness testimony, and repeated denial of house arrest despite serious medical needs.

Kanal 11 case:

In December 2025, the Supreme Court partially reduced the sentence of Kanal 11 head Teymur Karimov, who continued to deny extortion charges and linked his prosecution to his journalistic activity.

Kanal 13 case:

Director of Kanal 13, Aziz Orujov was released after completing a two-year prison sentence. He was arrested in November 2023 on charges of “unauthorized construction,” later briefly accused of “currency smuggling,” a charge dropped before trial.

2. Ill-Treatment, Denial of Medical Care, Solitary Confinement, Hunger Strikes, and Deaths in Custody

Detainees in politically sensitive cases throughout 2025 reported physical violence, denial of medical care, punitive solitary confinement, and degrading detention conditions. Hunger strikes were repeatedly initiated as a form of protest against treatment or procedural abuses. In at least one case, a detainee died in custody under contested circumstances.

Abzas Media detainees reported physical violence, threats, sexualised abuse, and lack of medical treatment during detention, reported during 2025 several of times.

Polad Aslanov, an imprisoned journalist, undertook a hunger strike from August to September 2025 over denial of medical documentation and poor prison conditions.

Bahruz Samadov, detained scholar, went on hunger strike in September 2025 following appeal court decisions; later transferred to Umbaki high-security prison in December 2025.

Nigar Baghirova, religious detainee, continued a prolonged hunger strike in December 2025 amid serious health deterioration.

Elbayi Kerimli, opposition activist, died by suicide in custody in December 2025; family members alleged coercion and prior threats.

Ruslan Izzatli and other Toplum TV defendants reported lack of basic medical equipment and urgent unmet surgical needs.

The life of unfairly imprisoned Azerbaijani opposition figure Tofig Yagublu has been at serious risk. His health has severely deteriorated as a result of a hunger strike in April 2025 and the lack of the medical care he requires during the imprisonment.

Journalist Nurlan Gahramanli (Libre), has been on hunger strike since January 16. He is in critical condition. Nurlan Libre was arrested on February 21, 2025, in connection with a criminal case related to Meydan TV.

Co-founder of “Toplum TV” and a media expert, Alasgar Mammadli has been refused adequate medical care. He submitted dozens of requests for house arrest to undergo a surgical treatment and biopsy.

3. Fair Trial Violations and Judicial Independence Concerns

Across 2025, courts routinely upheld prosecutorial requests while dismissing defence motions, contributing to serious concerns about judicial independence. Hearings were restricted, evidence contested, witnesses allegedly pressured, and state bodies intervened in criminal proceedings through civil claims.

Rejection of audio/video recording requests in the Meydan TV trial in December 2025.

Civil claim filed by the State Tax Service within the Meydan TV criminal proceedings.

Contradictory and allegedly coerced testimony in the Toplum TV case, including allegations that witnesses were pressured to change statements.

Blanket extensions of pre-trial detention for journalists and opposition figures throughout September–December 2025.

Closed hearings in treason-related cases concerning researchers.

4. Political Opposition Repression

Political opposition figures and party members were subjected to criminal charges, administrative detention, travel restrictions, and workplace retaliation throughout 2025, particularly targeting the Popular Front Party and National Council affiliates.

Ali Karimli, opposition leader of Popular Front Party, detained in November 2025 and remained in pre-trial detention following rejected appeals in December.

Repeated arrests and administrative detentions of Popular Front Party members in November–December 2025.

Workplace dismissals of party members and supporters, including individuals fired after media interviews.

5. Freedom of Religion or Belief

Religious activists, including women engaged in religious charity and members of the Muslim Unity Movement, were subjected to arrest, harsh detention conditions, and punitive measures in 2025.

Arrest of religious women in August 2025 for alleged involvement in charity and protest activities related to Ashura and Palestine.

Hunger strikes and reported beatings of Muslim Unity Movement members, including Tarlan Sayadov and Elman Sheydayev in late 2025.

6. Transnational Repression

Authorities increasingly targeted critics outside Azerbaijan through in-absentia trials, summonses, travel bans, and deportation risks. 24 exiled critics and human rights defenders to whom the Office of the Prosecutor General issued summonses in the framework of the criminal proceedings in absentia since March 2025.

In-absentia sentencing of Ganimat Zahid in December 2025.

Sentencing in absentia of exiled blogger Mahammad Mirzali in September 2025.

Detention and deportation order issued against Gultekin Hajibeyli in Türkiye in December 2025.

Travel bans imposed on relatives of detainees, including journalists’ family members.

Talysh activist Kamal Isayev was allegedly detained in Istanbul and transferred to Azerbaijan by the State Security Service in November 2025. Isayev, a Russian citizen, has lived in Moscow.

III. SELECTED CASES