Date of Birth: 29 April 1995
Detained Since: 21 August 2024
Affiliation: Political scientist; Doctoral researcher, Charles University (Czech Republic); Peace activist; Public commentator

Charges:

• High treason (Art. 274)

Conviction and Sentence:
On 23 June 2025, the Baku Assize Court found Bahruz Samadov guilty of treason and sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment. On 3 September 2025, the Baku Court of Appeal upheld the verdict.

Political Prisoner Status:

His detention meets criteria (a) and (e) of PACE Resolution 1900 (2012):

• (a) – violations of freedom of expression, association, academic freedom, liberty and security, and the right to a fair trial under the ECHR.

• (e) – prosecution driven by ulterior political motives, aiming to silence a visible peace advocate and government critic.

Summary:

Bahruz Samadov is an Azerbaijani political scientist and peace activist whose research and writing focus on democracy, conflict, nationalism, and the human cost of war. He has contributed commentary to OC Media, Eurasianet, and academic conferences across Europe and the South Caucasus. His public profile as a critic of authoritarianism and his anti-war stance during and after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war made him a prominent voice in regional peace discourse.

He was arrested by the State Security Service (SSS) on 21 August 2024. Two days later, the Sabail District Court ordered four months of pre-trial detention. He was charged with treason on the basis of vague accusations alleging cooperation with foreign actors. The charges are unsubstantiated, relying almost entirely on SSS assertions and alleged digital correspondence that has not been independently authenticated.

His trial before the Baku Assize Court, which began on 21 February 2025, was conducted behind closed doors. The prosecution presented no verifiable evidence that he possessed or transmitted state secrets or acted under foreign instruction. Witnesses did not describe any treasonous activity, only their acquaintance with him and awareness of his academic and civic engagement. Despite this, he was convicted on 23 June 2025.

Samadov’s case fits into a broader repression of peace activists, researchers, and journalists who criticise militaristic policies or advocate reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Since 2023, Azerbaijani authorities have increasingly framed anti-war advocacy as a national security threat, using criminal law to silence dissent. Human Rights Watch and other organisations have documented this pattern.

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