Caspian Wire: Azerbaijan tightens grip on media and civil society amid ongoing trials | October 2025
Azerbaijan’s human rights crackdown deepened throughout October 2025, marked by media raids, politically motivated arrests, restrictive court rulings, and escalating pressure on journalists, lawyers, scholars, and activists. This roundup documents key developments, including trials, new UN and ECHR interventions, and the widening “NGO case.”
Security Service Raids “Hurriyyet” Media Office
On October 30, the State Security Service (DTX) searched the office of Hurriyyet detaining Editor-in-Chief Vugar Mammadov — nephew of Democratic Party leader Sardar Calaloglu. Pro-government outlets report that computers and documents were seized during the searches. The DTX has not issued an official statement behind the reasons of the search.
MEDIA Agency Warns “BBC Azerbaijani” Over Continued Reporting
The state run Media Development Agency stated that BBC Azerbaijani staff continued operating despite the outlet’s earlier closure under government orders. The agency called this a “serious legal violation,” claiming BBC’s journalists are still conducting investigations and sending information requests.
BBC Azerbaijan Service began broadcasting in 1994 but lost its FM license in 2009, continuing online since 2011. The office officially closed in early 2024 following government directives — a move BBC described as “a restriction on press freedom.”
Lawyer Zabil Gahramanov Detained on Hooliganism Charges
Lawyer Zabil Gahramanov has been detained on charges of hooliganism and fraud. He was reportedly taken into custody by officers of the Ganja City Police Department on October 21 after an alleged altercation at a car wash, during which he is accused of injuring another person. An investigation is currently underway at the Ganja City Police Department.
Earlier, on October 8, the Bar Association’s Presidium suspended Gahramanov’s license to practice law for six months. On October 25, Gahramanov was sent into three months of pre-trial detention. On October 28, the Ganja Court of Appeal upheld the earlier decision to arrest lthe awyer, rejecting his appeal.
It is suspected that his detention may be linked to his social media posts criticizing police conduct in Ganja.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has begun examining complaints against the Azerbaijani government related to the use of the Pegasus spyware
In 2021, investigations by Amnesty International, Forbidden Stories, and OCCRP revealed that up to 50,000 phone numbers worldwide had been targeted using Pegasus, a spyware developed by Israel’s NSO Group. The probe found that about 1,000 phones in Azerbaijan had been infected, including those of 245 human rights defenders, journalists, opposition politicians, lawyers, and researchers.
59 Azerbaijani citizens have lodged complaints with the ECHR. The Court has asked the parties to respond to questions concerning possible violations of Articles 8 (right to privacy), 13 (right to an effective remedy), and 18 (misuse of rights) of the European Convention on Human Rights and, in some cases, Articles 10 (freedom of expression) and 6 (right to a fair trial). Many of them are currently behind bars following an arrest spree that began in November 2023.
Appeal against the verdict of Igbal Abilov rejected
On October 23, the Shirvan Court of Appeals denied an appeal against the verdict issued against Iqbal Abilov. Abilov, a young historian of Talysh ethnicity, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on May 20, 2025. The government accused him of treason for his academic contacts abroad.
Trial Begins for AXCP Member Kanan Zeynalov
The Baku Court on Grave Crimes has begun the trial of Kanan Basgal (Zeynalov), a member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP) and bodyguard to party leader Ali Karimli.
According to Karimli, Zeynalov has been held in complete isolation for seven months since his arrest in March 2025, charged under Article 126.2.4 of the Criminal Code (intentional infliction of serious bodily harm with hooligan intent).
The indictment alleges that Zeynalov stabbed a man named Anar Rahimov in the abdomen during an argument on March 21.
Azer Gasimli’s Trial Continues
The Baku Court on Grave Crimes held another hearing in the criminal case of Azer Gasimli, head of the Institute of Political Management and opposition politician.
Gasimli was detained on December 8, 2024, and charged under Article 182.2.3 (extortion with use of force). He has called the case politically motivated and the charges fabricated.
During the hearing, his lawyer questioned Gasimli about social media posts and a letter sent to the Interior Ministry by Qurbanali Yusifov, suggesting Gasimli had threatened him. Gasimli said the posts appeared to be preparation for his arrest, noting that Yusifov had politicized a personal financial dispute.
Gasimli argued that his presumption of innocence had been violated and that he was being held without evidence.
On October 29, another hearing was held in the case against Azer Gasimli, Director of the Institute for Political Management. According to his wife Samira Gasımlı, one of the witnesses who testified in court said he never heard Gasimli make direct threats, contradicting the prosecution’s claim that Gasimli threatened to kidnap and kill.
Court Rejects Complaint Over Journalist Aytaj Tapdiq’s Marriage Ban
The Khatai District Court has reviewed journalist Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdiq)’s complaint regarding a ban on her marriage while in detention.
Her family said the hearing marked the first time the case was examined on the substance. Tapdiq had previously requested permission to marry Kamran Mammadli from detention in January 2025, but the prison administration denied the request. The court later upheld that decision.
Mammadli himself was detained in November 2024 after staging a solo protest during the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku. He is currently under a travel ban, discovered when he attempted to fly to Tbilisi in December 2024.
Aytaj Tapdiq was arrested on December 6, 2024, in connection with the “Meydan TV case”, initially charged with smuggling under Article 206.3.2. On August 28, 2025, charges were expanded to include illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, tax evasion, forgery, and other offenses.
Former German MP on trial
On October 20, the Munich Higher Regional Court began the trial of Axel Fischer, a former member of the German parliament for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), accused of accepting bribes from the Azerbaijani government. According to the Munich Prosecutor’s Office, Fischer allegedly received €21,800 in bribes in 2016 in exchange for making favorable speeches about the Azerbaijani government at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). In July 2025, the same court sentenced Eduard Lintner, an 80-year-old former Christian Social Union (CSU) deputy, to nine months of suspended imprisonment for also taking bribes from Azerbaijan.
The court also found that another former CDU deputy, Karin Strenz, had received €111,000 from the Azerbaijani government. Since Strenz passed away in 2021, the court ruled that her husband must repay the amount.
Azel TV Editor Afgan Sadigov Sentenced to 14 Days of Administrative Arrest in Tbilisi
Afgan Sadigov, head of the Azel TV YouTube channel, has been sentenced to 14 days of administrative detention by the Tbilisi City Court. Sadigov was charged with blocking a roadway during a protest held in front of Parliament on October 18. According to his wife, Sadigov was detained while on his way to the demonstration.
Sadigov was also fined 270,000 lari — approximately $97,000 USD (about €90,000 EUR) as per information shared by his lawyer on October 27.
Sadigov was first detained in Azerbaijan on November 22, 2016, and charged under Article 127.2.3 of the Criminal Code (inflicting less serious bodily harm with hooligan intent). On January 12, 2017, the Jalilabad District Court sentenced him to 2.5 years in prison, which the Supreme Court later reduced to 1.5 years. He was released on May 23, 2018.
He was arrested again in May 2020 and later convicted by the Baku Court for Serious Crimes on charges of extortion through threats, receiving a 7-year sentence, which was reduced to 6 years on appeal. Sadigov was pardoned and released in 2022.
In 2023, he moved to Georgia, where he was detained in August 2024 following an extradition request from Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani authorities accused him under Articles 188.2.2 and 182.2.4 of the Criminal Code — extortion and threats to publish defamatory information to seize large amounts of property.
On February 28, 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled to halt his extradition to Azerbaijan until it completed its review of the case.
After around eight months in detention, Sadigov was released on April 16 by court decision, on bail of 5,000 lari (about $1,800 USD / €1,650 EUR).
Trial of Bashir Suleymanli Continues
On October 23, the hearing in the criminal case against Bashir Suleymanli, head of the Institute for Civil Rights, resumed. At the Baku Court on Grave Crimes, the state prosecutor read out the indictment. According to the charges, Suleymanli is accused of embezzling more than 148,000 manats (€74,740 EUR) in grants allocated by the German Marshall Fund of the United States and other donors for social-purpose projects. He allegedly misused his official position, together with Mehriban Rahimli (the German Marshall Fund’s adviser for Azerbaijan) and others, and failed to report the grants he received to the relevant ministries. Suleymanli denied the charges and pleaded not guilty. During the trial, it became clear that the case regarding M. Rahimli was transferred to a separate proceeding, and the preliminary investigation is currently ongoing.
The next trial is scheduled for November 20.
Court Hearing Held in “NGO Case” Against Economist Galib Bayramov
On October 13, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes held a hearing in the case of Nargiz Mukhtarova, one of the defendants in the ongoing “NGO case.” The session was presided over by Judge Leyla Asgarova-Mammadova, and began with the verification of the defendant’s personal details.
On October 27, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes held another hearing in the “NGO case” involving defendant Nargiz Mukhtarova. During the session, the prosecutor read the indictment, which accused Mukhtarova of abuse of power and document forgery related to various projects. According to the charges, she allegedly collaborated with Shahla Ismayil, head of the Women’s Society for Rational Development, and others to obtain more than 150,000 manats from U.S.-based foundations and was accused of money laundering.
Mukhtarova denied the charges, calling them baseless and asserting her innocence.
The next hearing was scheduled for December 15.
The same day Ahmad Mammadzade also appeared in court. During the session, the court confirmed Mammadzade’s personal details, and the defendant requested a change to his pre-trial detention measure.
The case has now been formally submitted for trial, and court proceedings have been scheduled.
On October 22, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes held another hearing in the case of Galib Bayramov, chair of the Center for Economic Research and a defendant in the ongoing “NGO case.” The prosecutor read out the indictment, charging Bayramov under Articles 193-1.3.2 (money laundering in significant amounts) and 308 (abuse of power) of the Criminal Code. Bayramov pleaded not guilty.
Arrests in the “NGO case” began in March 2025, when B. Suleymanli, head of the Institute for Civil Rights, and Mammad Alpay (Mammadzade), executive director of the Election Monitoring Alliance, were detained.
In April, three more individuals, civic activist Asaf Ahmadov, social worker Zamin Zaki, and Ahmad Mammadzade were also arrested.
During the investigation, several civil society representatives were placed under non-custodial preventive measures instead of detention. Among them are Hafiz Hasanov, head of the “Law and Development” Public Association, and Mehriban Rahimli, former Azerbaijan adviser to the German Marshall Fund (GMF).
Galib Bayramov and Nargiz Mukhtarova were also placed under police supervision.
Additionally, arrest warrants were issued for Subhan Hasanli, head of the Social Rights Center, who is currently residing abroad, and for civic activist Aytaj Agazade.
The next court hearing is scheduled for November 5.
On October 23, in the case of Hafiz Hasanov, the head of the Law and Development Public Union, Hasanov rejected the charges brought against him and submitted a motion to have the case dismissed. The court denied his motion, and the criminal case proceeded to trial. During the hearing, Hasanov stated that the activities and financial sources of his organization were fully transparent and that all documents clearly showed the sources of the funds and how they were spent. According to Hasanov, there is no factual or evidentiary basis to support the accusations.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 5.
Hasanov is accused of money laundering, abuse of official powers resulting in serious consequences, and official forgery.
Although the Binagadi District Court initially placed Hasanov under house arrest, that measure was later replaced with police supervision.
On October 29, a preliminary hearing for social worker Zamin Zeki, also took place. His lawyer Gunay Ismayilova argued that the charges of money laundering are unsubstantiated and requested case dismissal and house arrest — both denied.
The main trial is set for November 12.
As in all other individuals investigated Zeki faces charges under Articles 313 (forgery by officials), 193-1.3.2 (money laundering), and 308.1 (abuse of power).
Arrested journalist’s film picks up an award
A film by Aynur Elgunesh, editor in chief of Meydan TV, who was arrested in December of last year, had her film “In the Shadow of the Plane Tree” receive several awards, including most recently at the “Entretodos” Film Festival in Brazil.
Reports of Pressure on Detained Activist Ali Zeynal in “Toplum TV Case”
Relatives of Ali Zeynal, an employee of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives detained in the “Toplum TV case,” say he is facing pressure at the Baku Pretrial Detention Center after writing about alleged misconduct inside the facility.
According to his family, restrictions have been imposed on Zeynal and other inmates since early October, with prison staff allegedly blaming him for the measures and urging others to silence him. Zeynal claims officials are using inmates to punish him indirectly after his writings about corruption in the prison were mentioned in the coverage of other journalists.
Zeynal was arrested on March 6, 2024, as part of the “Toplum TV case”, under which 10 people have been charged with smuggling and later more serious offenses. Authorities have not commented on the allegations.
Bahruz Samadov, transferred to a different prison
Young scholar was transferred from Umbaki prison to the facility N11 where he was placed in solitary confinement on October 18. According to his grandmother, Samadov was told that he would be transferred back to Umbaki prison after 1.5 months in solitary confinement. Samadov told his grandmother he would commit suicide if this were to be the case.
Samadov attempted suicide before. Both times, he was stopped.
On October 21, Samadov was denied a family meeting with his grandmother, the only remaining relative.
Sputnik Azerbaijan director and chief editor, released and returned to Russia
Igor Kartavykh, Executive Director of Sputnik Azerbaijan, and chief editor Yevgeny Belousov were released under house arrest and shortly after left Azerbaijan for Russia.
Azerbaijani authorities detained Kartavykh and six other Sputnik Azerbaijan employees in late June 2025. The Ministry of Internal Affairs charged them with fraud, illegal entrepreneurship, and money laundering. The arrests followed police operations in Yekaterinburg related to murders and attempted attacks against Azerbaijani nationals.
The development comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Dushanbe on October 9, where Putin acknowledged that Russian air defense missiles had accidentally shot down an AZAL aircraft.
On October 10, Kartavykh’s pre-trial detention was replaced with house arrest, followed by his eventual release.
Sevinc Vagifgizi’s family was subjected to ill-treatment during prison visit
The family of AbzasMedia editor-in-chief Sevinc Vagifgizi says they faced humiliating and aggressive treatment from staff at the Lankaran Penitentiary Complex during a visit on October 18.
Vagifgizi’s mother and sister reported being forcibly searched despite health concerns and requests for alternative screening. They also said the visit lacked privacy, with a guard present throughout.
Authorities have not commented on the family’s allegations.
Imran Aliyev’s Health Reportedly Deteriorating Without Medical Care
Imprisoned Meclis.info founder Imran Aliyev is reportedly in critical condition, receiving no medical assistance despite worsening physical and mental health. His condition has allegedly declined due to harsh conditions at the Baku Pretrial Detention Center and the prolonged court process.
Aliyev faces up to 12 years in prison on charges including illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, smuggling, tax evasion, and document forgery.
UN experts urge release of Igbal Abilov and Bahruz Samadov
On October 15, UN experts, Alexandra Xanthaki, the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, and Nicolas Levrat, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, called on the government in Azerbaijan to release young scholars Abilov and Samadov. In their letter, the experts expressed concern “at what appears to be a misuse of national security legislation to suppress and punish the free exercise of cultural rights, freedom of opinion and expression and academic freedom in Azerbaijan.”
Great Britain’s renewed sanctions list includes the names of Azerbaijani businessmen
Several Azerbaijani businessmen were named on an expanded sanctions list published by the British government on October 15. They are: Vahid Alekperov, president of Lukoil; God Nisanov, chairman of the board of directors of Kiyevskaya Ploshhad and his business partner Zarakh Iliev; as well as the directors of the Coral Energy Group oil trading company, Ahmed Karimov, Anar Madatli, Talat Safarov, Etibar Eyyub, and Tahir Garayev.
The list also included Fikret Taghiyev. Taghiyev was the head of the Matrosskaya Tishina detention center where Sergei Magnitsky died on 16 November 2009. Taghiyev is being held responsible for the mistreatment of Magnitsky whilst in detention. Tagiyev is also accused of being involved in the concealment of evidence regarding the circumstances relating to Magnitsky’s death.
The sanctions imposed include asset freeze, travel ban, and other financial restrictions.
A group of human rights organizations addresses the International Association of Judges
In a letter signed by several well known international human rights organizations, the International Association of Judges was asked to “to pass a strong resolution concerning systemic issues and the State’s worrying lack of judicial independence that directly causes serious harm to human rights and the rule of law in the country.”
The letter was released during the 67th General Assembly of the International Association of Judges which took place in Azerbaijan between October 14-17.
The court refuses to grant permission to arrested journalist to attend a family funeral
Arrested in February 2025, as part of a criminal investigation launched against Meydan TV, journalist Shamshad Aghayev requested permission from the court to attend a funeral ceremony of a family member. On October 14, the court refused to grant the journalist requested permission. Aghayev is in pretrial detention, facing multiple charges, including currency smuggling.
Authorities arrest former government official
Ramiz Mehdiyev, who served under former President Heydar Aliyev and later his son Ilham Aliyev as the head of the Presidential Administration between 1995 and 2019, was sent into four months of pretrial detention on October 14. Mehdiyev is charged under Articles 278.1 (acts aimed at seizing state power), 274 (treason), and 193-1.3.2 (legalization of property obtained by crime) of the Criminal Code. He is under house arrest. He served as the President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences from 2019 to 2022. He was often referred to as Russia’s man in Azerbaijan, the head of the “5th column”, and the “Gray Cardinal.”
Toplum TV trials resumes
On September 29, Alasgar Mammadli resumed his defense, in which the veteran media law expert and co-founder of Toplum TV spoke of spurious evidence brought against the platform and its employees. Mammadli noted that holding the news platform accountable for failing to register was irrelevant. Given that the website did not have to file for registration, neither at the time the website went live in 2017 nor after the law on Media was adopted in 2022.
Mammadli also mentioned that the prosecutor’s investigations have used service contract agreements he signed as an individual expert with international organizations as evidence to support the claim that these payments were actual grants.
Separately arrested journalist Farid Ismayilov has complained to his lawyer that another inmate has been constantly threatening him. So far, prison management has taken no measures to offer protection to Ismayilov.
On October 13, Alasgar Mammadli, founder of Toplum TV, who was arrested along with scores of other Toplum TV employees in March of last year, delivered a statement. Mammadli spoke about the day of his detention on March 8 and how his private residence was searched in the absence of his lawyer. Mammadli said it was during this search operation that the alleged money Mammadli is accused of smuggling was placed in his home. He also discussed gaps in the evidence presented by the investigation, including his work trips abroad and the two cards the investigators have added to the evidence against Mammadli. The media law expert explained that one of the cards was dormant for 27 years and was used to withdraw a university scholarship during his studies in Turkey between 1991 and 1996. The second card is a Tbilisi metro transport card. At the end of his statement, Mammadli called the investigation fabricated and said it was a clear example of using domestic legislation as a political tool to silence civil society, free media, and independent journalism.
Another person to testify during the hearing was Ramil Babayev, an employee of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI), who was arrested as part of the investigation against Toplum TV. Babayev recounted how he was subjected to police pressure during his arrest, including psychological pressure.
In a message addressed to witnesses scheduled to testify in court as part of the ongoing trials, the arrested director of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives, Akif Gurbanov, said, “We know how your statements were taken during the ‘investigation,’ the pressures and threats you faced. Please, do not worry about us. Ilham Aliyev will assign the punishment to me and my friends according to his own standards—your testimony won’t change that,” Gurbanov wrote.
On October 27, during a hearing, several witnesses who had been invited to testify said their original testimonies were obtained under duress and, as such, retracted their statements.
The hearing will resume on November 3.
Ali Zeynalov was allowed to see his family in a closed visit
Zeynalov, an employee of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives and a journalist, was arrested in March 2024, as part of a criminal investigation launched against Toplum TV was allowed to see his family in a closed visit format.
Activist’s appeal rejected
Nijat Ibrahim, a political activist jailed in 2024, had his appeal rejected during the hearing held on October 6. Ibrahim was sentenced to 6.5 years on bogus charges.
Opposition leader’s request for a travel document remains unaddressed
Speaking to journalists, Ali Karimli, leader of the opposition Popular Front Party, said his request for a valid travel document remains unanswered. In October, Karimli applied for a new passport through Azerbaijan e-services. He paid for an expedited processing and when he returned the next day, he was informed by the employees that the Ministry of the Interior’s Main Passport, Registration and Migration Department specifically ordered against the politician being granted a valid passport. No grounds for this decision were provided.
Animal rights activist Elkhan Mirzayev detained
Mirzayev was taken from his home on October 1 with an escort of several police officers. Police searched his private residence and confiscated electronic devices that belonged to Mirzayev and his wife. Mirzayev is a long-time animal rights activist.
Exiled blogger’s uncle sentenced
Tural Sadigli, an exiled Azerbaijani blogger whose uncle was arrested in April 2025, was handed a two-year and six-month sentence on bogus illegal arms possession charges.
Sadigli himself is facing arrest based on a sentence in absentia as of June 2025, on various spurious charges including hooliganism, calls for mass riots, and forgery.