POLITICAL PRISONERS DATABASE
DOCUMENTING POLITICALLY MOTIVATED PROSECUTIONS IN AZERBAIJAN
This list of political prisoners has been prepared to present evidence-based legal analyses explaining why particular individuals may be considered political prisoners. It aims to support rights-based advocacy initiatives, provide a reliable reference for human rights defenders, researchers, and the public, and contribute to identifying broader patterns of politically motivated prosecutions. The documentation is also intended to support the analysis of systemic human rights concerns in Azerbaijan. The assessment framework used in these evaluations was developed by Azerbaijani human rights lawyer Samed Rahimli. The individual legal analyses and case reviews presented on this website have been prepared by an independent team of lawyers.
Akif Gurbanov
Political Leader
Arrested March 6, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Ali Zeynalov
Journalist
Arrested March 6, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Ruslan Izzatli
Activist
Arrested March 8, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Alasgar Mammadli
Journalist
Arrested March 8, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Mushfig Jabarov
Journalist
Arrested March 6, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Ilkin Amrahov
Activist
Arrested March 6, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Ramil Babayev
Activist
Arrested March 6, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Sevinj Vagifgizi (Abbasova)
Journalist
Arrested November 21, 2023
Sentenced
Nargiz Absalamova
Journalist
Arrested November 30, 2023
Sentenced
Elnara Gasimova
Journalist
Arrested January 13, 2024
Sentenced
Hafiz Babali
Journalist
Arrested December 13, 2023
Sentenced
Mahammad Kekalov
Journalist
Arrested June 20, 2025
Sentenced
Igbal Abilov
Researcher
Arrested July 22, 2024
Sentenced
Bahruz Samadov
Researcher
Arrested August 21, 2024
Sentenced
Anar Mammadli
Rights Defender
Arrested April 29, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Mohyaddin Orujov
Activist
Arrested December 13, 2023
Sentenced
Afiaddin Mammadov
Activist
Arrested September 20, 2023
Sentenced
Elvin Mustafayev
Activist
Arrested August 4, 2023
Sentenced
Aykhan Israfilov
Activist
Arrested August 11, 2023
Sentenced
Fazil Gasimov
Researcher
Arrested August 7, 2023
Sentenced
Ulvi Hasanli
Journalist
Arrested November 20, 2023
Sentenced
Azer Gasimli
Political Leader
Arrested December 8, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Farid Mehralizada
Journalist
Arrested May 30, 2024
Sentenced
Ilhamiz Guliyev
Activist
Arrested December 4, 2023
Sentenced
Aynur Elgunash (Ganbarova)
Journalist
Arrested December 6, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Aysel Umudova
Journalist
Arrested December 6, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Aytaj Taptiq (Ahmadova)
Journalist
Arrested December 6, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Khayala Agayeva
Journalist
Arrested December 6, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Ulvi Tahirov
Journalist
Arrested December 6, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Natig Javadli
Journalist
Arrested December 6, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Ramin Deko (Jabrailzada)
Journalist
Arrested December 6, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Farid Ismayilov
Journalist
Arrested January 17, 2025
Currently in pretrial detention
Shamsgad Agha
Journalist
Arrested February 5, 2025
Currently in pretrial detention
Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli)
Journalist
Arrested February 21, 2025
Currently in pretrial detention
Fatima Movlamli
Journalist
Arrested February 28, 2025
Currently in pretrial detention
Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva)
Journalist
Arrested May 7, 2025
Currently in pretrial detention
Ahmad Mukhtar
Journalist
Arrested August 26, 2025
Currently in pretrial detention
Bashir Suleymanli
Rights Defender
Arrested March 14, 2025
Currently in pretrial detention
Jafar Mirzayev
Party Member
Arrested January 27, 2022
Sentenced
Mutallim Orujov
Party Member
Arrested October 23, 2021
Sentenced
Malik Rzayev
Party Member
Arrested October 25, 2021
Sentenced
Zamin Zaki
Social Worker
Arrested April 9, 2025
Currently in the Umbaku Penitentiary Complex
Tofig Yagublu
Political Leader
Arrested December 14, 2023
Currently in pre-trial detnetion
Rufat Safarov
Rights Defender
Arrested December 3, 2024
Currently in pre-trial detention
Zabil Gahramanov
Lawyer
Arrested October 23, 2025
Currently in pre-trial detention
Emin Ibrahimov
Political Leader
Arrested July 22, 2024
Currently in pre-trial detention
Alpay Mammad
Activist
Arrested March 14, 2025
Currently in pre-trial detention
Zaur Asgarov
Party Member
Arrested June 5, 2025
Sentenced
Gunduz Mirzayev
Party Member
Arrested June 5, 2025
Sentenced
Elbeyi Kerimli
Party Member
Arrested August 18, 2023
Sentenced
Ali Karimli
Opposition Party Leader
Arrested November 29, 2025
Currently in pre-trial detention
Aslan Gurbanov
Blogger
Arrested April 15, 2021
Sentenced
Asef Ahmadov
Rights Defender
Arrested April 9, 2025
Currently in pre-trial detention
Rail Abbasov
Activist
Arrested January 9, 2025
Sentenced
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev
Activist
Arrested January 13, 2025
Sentenced
Anar Abdulla (Abdullayev)
Activist
Arrested August 4, 2025
Currently in pre-trial detention
Teymur Karimov
Journalist
Arrested December 28, 2024
Sentenced
Jamil Mammadli
Journalist
Arrested April 17, 2024
Sentenced
Zamin Salayev
Party Member
Arrested May 22, 2023
Sentenced
Elnur Hasanov
Party Member
Arrested August 2, 2024
Sentenced
Mirhafiz Jafarzade
Activist
Arrested October 10, 2024
Sentenced