Caspian Wire: Journalists, Activists Face Courts and Custody | January 2026
Journalists Targeted Through Courts and Custody
On January 5, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes held a hearing in the Toplum TV case. Defendants said the prosecution improperly treats foreign travel as evidence of smuggling and renewed objections to the judicial panel. The court agreed to seek information on a vehicle purchased abroad by journalist Mushfig Jabarov that could not clear customs after his detention; proceedings were set to continue on 7 January.
On January 12, the same court continued the Toplum TV proceedings, examining search protocols alleging the discovery of cash. Defense lawyers said evidence was planted. Co-founder Alasgar Mammadli reported worsening health and said court-ordered medical checks had not been implemented; a doctor was called after the session.
On January 19, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes rejected renewed requests for house arrest by Toplum TV co-founder Alasgar Mammadli. The court screened video footage from a search of Ruslan Izzatli’s home, where authorities claim €4,800 was found. Izzatli said the money was planted. Defendant Farid Ismayilov asked the court to summon media executives over alleged publication of investigative materials. Proceedings were adjourned to February 2.
In the Meydan TV case, journalist Nurlan Gahramanli (Libre) allegedly self-harmed during a 22 December court hearing, according to his spouse. On 23 January, she said his condition worsened after a hunger strike begun on 16 January; no medical examination was confirmed.
On January 29, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes granted Shamshad Agha three days’ temporary leave from detention to attend his mother’s funeral in Lerik region.
Human Rights Defenders and Activists Under Prosecution
On January 23, the Baku Court of Appeal upheld the extension of pre-trial detention for lawyer Zabil Gahramanov, whose legal practice was suspended by the Bar Association.
On January 22, the trial of election monitor Mammad Alpay opened, with the court denying defense motions for house arrest and filming. The same day, the Court of Appeal adjourned peace activist and academic Bahruz Samadov‘s complaint against his transfer to Umbaki prison and denied his request for a medical expert assessment.
On January 26, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes questioned the complainant in the case of human rights defender Rufat Safarov, who denies fraud, bodily harm, and hooliganism charges and says his detention since December 3, 2024 is politically motivated.
On January 28, the same court granted a defense motion to compel a witness to appear in the case of political analyst Azer Gasimli, detained since December 2024 on extortion charges he rejects.
Opposition Under Sustained Pressure
Activist and English teacher Dayanat Chalabiyev was detained on December 22 and placed in pre-trial detention by the Khatai District Court two days later on charges of grievous bodily harm, punishable by up to 11 years’ imprisonment. Chalabiyev denied the charge and said the case was retaliation for a Facebook post criticizing the government published one day before his arrest.
In an interview published by Meydan TV on January 5, imprisoned opposition politician Tofig Yagublu said authorities were using regional geopolitical developments to justify political repression and dismissed claims linking opposition figures to foreign forces. He said hunger strikes remain one of the few tools available to detainees.
On January 7, the Khatai District Court placed APFP Masalli member Alikhan Rajabli in three months’ pre-trial detention on drug possession charges. The party said the case is politically motivated and cited health concerns; authorities did not comment.
On January 12, APFP deputy chair Fuad Gahramanli said he was summoned to the State Security Service for questioning in the “Ramiz Mehdiyev case.” He said he was abroad at the time.
On January 26, the APFP reported two members received administrative detention over online criticism: Teymur Salahov (10 days) and Shamil Jafarov (15 days). Authorities did not provide case-specific explanations.
In an interview published on January 27, Ali Karimli’s wife alleged procedural violations and evidence planting during the home search tied to his detention. On 28 January, Karimli issued a statement urging U.S. officials to raise human rights during an expected February visit.
Detention Conditions, Health, and Ill-Treatment
On January 19, the Khazar District Court extended by two months the pre-trial detention of six religious women activists — Nigar Bagirova, Khoshgadam Guliyeva, Shargiyya Sadigova, Arzu Huseynova, Aytan Ibrahimova, and Shahla Farajova. They were detained on August 15 while distributing food in the name of Imam Hussein and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans.
On January 21, detained journalist Rashad Ramazanov alleged he was beaten and threatened by the director of Prison No. 11 in a letter from custody. In December 2025, Ramazanov was placed in solitary confinement.
On January 22, the Khazar District Court sentenced civic activist Konul Ahmadova to 20 days’ administrative detention under Article 388-1.1.1 (online content). Relatives said the case stemmed from social-media comments.
On January 27, the Supreme Court upheld the three-year prison sentence of trade-union activist Mohyaddin Orujov. Earlier in January, his lawyer warned of pressure in Prison No. 13 following a family video call.
On January 28, detained labour activist Elvin Mustafayev said medical treatment requests were being ignored at Umbaki prison.
On January 26, thirteen religious detainees in Umbaki began a hunger strike, protesting prolonged detention and ill-treatment. Supporters warned of possible escalation.
Accountability Abroad
On January 13, the European Court of Human Rights found violations of Article 3 in the case of civic activist Elgiz Gahraman, citing failure to investigate torture allegations and degrading treatment. The Court ordered €10,000 in damages and €2,054.81 in costs.
On January 27, the ECtHR ruled in favour of journalist Khadija Ismayilova, finding violations of Articles 7, 6, 10, and 18 and ordering €12,000 in moral damages and €4,000 in legal costs.
On January 26, the PACE winter session opened without Azerbaijan, as the Parliament of Azerbaijan did not transmit credentials for the 2026 Ordinary Session. In 2024, the PACE has resolved not to ratify the credentials of the Azerbaijani delegation, mentioning very serious concerns about Azerbaijan’s ability ‘to conduct free and fair elections, the separation of powers, the weakness of its legislature vis-à-vis the executive, the independence of the judiciary and respect for human rights, as illustrated by numerous judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and opinions of the Venice Commission’.
Repression Beyond Azerbaijan’s Borders
On January 14, the Istanbul Administrative Court rejected a request to suspend the deportation of exiled opposition figure Gultakin Hajibayli, who remains held at Chatalca Removal Center under the G-82 national-security code.
On January 14, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced exiled journalist Sevinj Osmangizi, journalist Beydulla Manafov, and blogger Abid Gafarov to eight years’ imprisonment in absentia on charges related to public calls against the state. The defendants, who live abroad, denied the accusations.
On January 22, diaspora coalition ASİMK urged the Council of Europe to activate a Joint Complementary Procedure against Azerbaijan, citing intensified repression.
On January 26, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced exiled blogger Murad Guliyev to six years’ imprisonment in absentia on charges concerning the forcible seizure of power. Guliyev denied wrongdoing.
On January 20, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced U.S.-based blogger and government critic Vagif Allahverdiyev to eight years’ imprisonment in absentia, over alleged online calls made in 2017. The defendant denied the accusations.
Azerbaijan Among Top Global Jailers of Journalists
On January 21, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported that more than 300 journalists were imprisoned worldwide as of the end of 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year at record levels.
CPJ noted that Azerbaijan jailed 24 journalists, nearly doubling the previous year’s figure and placing the country among the top ten jailers globally for the first time since 2018. The report cited the use of anti-state, security, and financial charges, prolonged pre-trial detention, and harsh prison conditions, including medical neglect, as recurring patterns in the repression of independent journalism.
Adjusted for population size, Azerbaijan’s figure places it among the countries with the highest rates of journalist imprisonment per capita in the world, despite its relatively small population.