Caspian Wire: Tofig Yagublu’s life in danger as crackdown deepens | April 2025
Tofig Yagublu starts hunger strike
Following his sentence, veteran politician Tofig Yagublu said he would start a hunger strike on April 1. As per information shared by his family, Yagublu remains on hunger strike since April 1 and has already lost significant weight. On April 17, Yagublu’s lawyer, Agil Layic wrote on Facebook that the politician’s eyesight has worsened and he has difficulty moving around independently. The politician was sentenced to nine years on March 10, 2025.
Calls are intensifying for the release of opposition politician Tofig Yagublu, who has been on a hunger strike for 30 days in prison. In separate appeals, detained union leader Afiaddin Mammadov, journalist Farid Ismayilov, and political leader Akif Gurbanov urged the Azerbaijani authorities to free him. Mammadov declared he was ready to serve Yagublu’s nine-year sentence in his place, calling the injustice against a Karabakh war veteran shameful. Journalist Ismayilov, also imprisoned in the “Toplum TV case,” warned that Yagublu’s life is at serious risk due to pre-existing health conditions, criticising the regime’s repression of critics. Gurbanov emphasised that Yagublu’s hunger strike must not end in tragedy and called for an immediate end to political vengeance. On April 25, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee called on the government of Azerbaijan to release Yagublu: “We ask the Azerbaijani government to act swiftly to immediately release him and provide access to adequate, independent medical assistance.”
Yagublu was transferred to the Penitentiary Service’s Medical Facility on April 27, as his hunger strike entered its 27th day. Doctor Adil Geybulla, who examined Yagublu the previous day at the detention center in Umbaki settlement, stated that the transfer was recommended due to the prolonged hunger strike, Yagublu’s age, and pre-existing health conditions.
Seven political activists have begun a hunger strike demanding freedom for opposition figure Tofiq Yagublu—now on day 30 of his own hunger strike in prison—and for all political prisoners in Azerbaijan.
Toplum TV case trial commenced
Dozens of journalists and civil society members were detained during the year-long preliminary investigation into the case. The first preparatory hearing on the “Toplum TV case” was held at the Baku Grave Crimes Court on April 2. Alasgar Mammadli, founder of Toplum TV, recalled during the proceedings that he had serious health problems and requested to be placed under house arrest.
Alasgar Mammadli’s health situation falls into the category of life-threatening illnesses, and the detention of individuals with such illnesses is considered torture and ill-treatment under the European Convention of Human Rights.
Akif Gurbanov, another person arrested in the case, also denied the charges. “If you say that this is a gang and I am the leader of the gang, do I influence others? Then keep me and release everyone,” Akif Gurbanov called on the judge. Journalist Ali Zeynalov, who was arrested in the case, said that if Akif Gurbanov is kept behind the bars, he will stay with him.
On April 24, the Baku Serious Crimes Court began hearings in the “Toplum TV case,” with defendants rejecting smuggling charges and calling the case politically motivated. Akif Qurbanov of the III Republic Platform criticised government-aligned media and President Ilham Aliyev for labelling them “smugglers” without a verdict, violating the presumption of innocence. Judge Azer Tagiyev agreed, stating no one should be called a smuggler without a ruling. Defendant Ruslan Izzatli demanded the state prosecutor Kamran Aliyev testify in court, while his lawyer pointed out procedural irregularities in the arrest. Defendants also challenged the state prosecutor’s impartiality.
The decision to bring Ruslan Izzatli, a founding member of the III Republic Platform and a politician who was arrested in connection with the “Toplum TV case,” to criminal liability was forged.
The next hearing is set for May 5.
Abzas media trial continues
On April 1, another trial in the “Abzas Media case” was held at the Baku Grave Crimes Court. The defendants, Nargiz Absalamova, Mahammad Kekalov, and Hafiz Babali, gave their testimonies.
Mahammad Kekalov denied all the accusations of the investigative body in his testimony. He said his statements during the preliminary investigation were given under duress and therefore were untrue.
On April 8, Farid Mehralizada, an economist and journalist for Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), who was arrested as part of the “Abzas Media case,” gave a statement in court, asserting that he is being punished for his critical economic analyses published by Azadlıq Radio. He rejected smuggling charges as baseless, emphasising that his arrest is politically motivated due to his criticism of Azerbaijan’s socio-economic policies and independent statistical reporting. Mehralizada noted that authorities have provided no credible evidence of a crime they allege he committed.
On April 22, during a hearing of the “Abzas Media case” at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, multiple witnesses testified that they had not received money from the defendants nor witnessed any illegal activities. Evidence was also submitted confirming journalist Hafiz Babali’s formal employment with Turan News Agency, contradicting claims made during the investigation. A witness retracted earlier statements, admitting to false testimony.
At the April 29 court hearing in the “Abzas Media” case, editor-in-chief Sevinc Vagifgizi expressed solidarity with opposition figure and Musavat Party member Tofig Yagublu, who has been on hunger strike for 30 days in protest of his imprisonment.
Political leader’s detention extended
On April 3, the pre-trial detention of opposition leader and director of the Institute of Political Management, Azer Gasimli was extended.
Politician Azer Gasimli, one of the main critics of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, was detained on December 8, 2024. He is charged with extortion by threat. Azer Gasimli says his arrest is politically motivated and the charges are fabricated. He was previously detained for 30 administrative days in 2018 after leading a mass protest.
Two political prisoners go on hunger strike
On April 5, editor of xeberman.az website Polad Aslanov who has been sentenced to 16 years on treason charges announced he would be going on hunger strike. Separately on April 7, another political prisoner, a religious activist Elvin Nazarov, said he would be starting hunger strike. Aslanov has been prevented from meeting his family while Nazarov refused medical treatment – hence their decision to start a hunger strike.
Driver sent into pretrial detention
On April 1, opposition politician and leader of the Popular Front party Ali Karimli, reported his driver Zaur Rzali, sent into 30 day administrative detention. He has been charged with petty hooliganism and disobeying police. Rzali, member of the Popular Front party has been Karimli’s volunteer driver.
According to Popular Front there are currently 15 of its party members remain behind bars, among them are Karimli’s two bodyguards as well. One of the bodyguards Kanan Basgal has reportedly been prevented from family visits or phone calls with them. Basgali disappeared on March 21 and his whereabouts were unknown until the Popular Front party said Basgali was arrested on stabbing charges. He has been sentenced to four months in pretrial detention.
The party denies the charges and calls the bogus.
Leader of veteran’s union detained
On April 1, Haji Valiyev, leader of Young Veterans Public Union was sent into 22-day administrative detention on hooliganism and property damage charges. If found guilty, the young veteran is facing up to five years in prison. Valiyev has been vocal of veteran rights’ violations. His arrest took place following an incident on March 19, when police used forced to disperse a group of street vendor veterans.
On April 7, court of appeal ruled to keep Valiyev in detention. His pretrial detention was extended by another two months on April 18.
Meydan TV journalists’ pretrial detention extended
On April 2, Khatai Court ruled to extend the pretrial detention of two Meydan TV journalists – Aynur Elgunesh and Natig Javadli. Both journalists said they were subjected to inhumane treatment after being kept for hours hand cuffed without access to food or water as they waited for court decision. In March 2025, court extended the pretrial detention of other Meydan TV journalists Aytac Ahmadova (Tapdiq), Ramin Jabrayilzada (Deko) and Khayala Aghayeva.
Activist under police supervision
On April 8, civic activist and writer Anar Abdulla was called in for questioning as part of an investigation launched against Election Monitoring and Democracy Center. The latter’s founder and director Anar Mammadli has been in pretrial detention since April last year. Abdulla was informed that he is under investigation and that preventive measure of police supervision was taken against him.
Former diplomat sentenced to seven years
On April 11, Emin Ibrahimov, former diplomat, was sentenced to seven years on alleged stabbing grounds. The former diplomat denied charges. Ibrahimov was detained in July 2024.
Several civic activists and civil society representatives face detentions, police supervision
Since March 2025, several veteran civil society representatives have been called in for questioning as part of a new criminal investigation launched against NGOs in Azerbaijan. In addition to those who have already been placed in pretrial detention (Bashir Suleymanli, Asaf Ahmadov, Ahmad Mammadzade, Zamin Zeki, Mammad Alpay, Hafiz Hasanov – Hasanov was transferred under house arrest due to health reasons) since then or under police supervision (Mehriban Rahimli, Nargiz Mukhtarova, Anar Abdulla, Galib Bayramov), police issued arrest warrants for Subhan Hasanli and Aytac Aghazade (both are currently abroad). According to reports, at least fifty individuals were questioned so far as part of the newly opened investigation.
Ali Karimli’s bodyguard arrested
On April 8, police detained Elnur Guliyev who was the sentenced to 30-day administrative detention on minor hooliganism and disobeying police on April 9. Guliyev, is one of Ali Karimli’s bodyguards. Karimli is the leader of the opposition Popular Front Party. The same week police arrested Karimli’s driver and another bodyguard. While Karimli’s driver is facing similar charges, the accusation leveled against his second bodyguard are more serious – stabbing a person. According to the party there are at least 14 party members behind bars at the time of writing this newsletter.
Labor rights activist’s health condition deteriorates in prison
Mohyaddin Orucov, a labor rights activist, said prison staff are refusing the treatment he requires for his kidney condition. Speaking to media of her son’s condition, Orucov’s mother said instead of providing her son with treatment, and serious medical examination, he is only given painkillers. Orucov was sentenced to three years in February 2025 on bogus drug charges.
Civic activist placed under police custody
Prevent measure was taken against civic activist and independent journalist Anar Abdualla pas part of a criminal investigation against veteran human rights defender Anar Mammadli and his organization Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center. Mammadli was placed in pretrial detention in April 2024 and remains there at the time of writing this newsletter. Abdulla, was invited as a defendant for questioning as part of the on-going investigation according to lawyer Gunay Ismayilova.
Jailed journalist diagnosed with cancer
Avaz Zeynalli was sentenced to nine years in February 2024 after having spent two years behind bars since his arrest in 2022. On April 14, the journalist was diagnosed with cancer. A petition to drop the charges against the journalist was submitted on April 16.
On April 25, Avaz Zeynalli has been released from prison following the ruling. Zeynalli joined the hearing online from prison. He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment by the Baku Serious Crimes Court in February 2023.
Zeynalli is the editor in chief of Khural TV online television and was arrested on extortion charges in September 2022.
More exiled bloggers are facing criminal charges
On April 17, Ordukhan Teymurkhan, a Dutch citizen of Azerbaijan decent, who has emigrated abroad more than two decades ago was summoned to the Prosecutor General’s office. Teymurkhan who is known for his social media posts critical of the government and activism abroad, is facing multiple charges including making public calls to violently seize or retain power in the Republic of Azerbaijan, forcibly change the constitutional order, and incite mass riots accompanied by violence and resistance against law enforcement via his social media posts on Facebook and YouTube.
Several other bloggers and businessmen living abroad have been targeted in similar investigations since March, including Rafael Piriyev, Ilgar Hajiyev, Mahammad Mirzali, Gurban Mammadov, Elshad Mammadov, Gabil Mammadov, and Tural Sadigli.
AXCP member Mehman Aliyev sentenced to five years
On April 15, the Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced Mehman Aliyev, a member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP), to five years in prison on drug-related charges, despite his claims that the case was fabricated. Aliyev stated he was arrested in retaliation for filming police abuses, including footage showing the forced detention of his relative Ali Isayev in Şirvan.
Researcher Bahruz Samadov faces treason charges
On April 21, the Baku Serious Crimes Court opened the trial of Bahruz Samadov, a doctoral student at Charles University (Czech Republic), who is charged with high treason under Article 274 of the Criminal Code, carrying a possible sentence of up to 20 years or life imprisonment. Samadov, who has not lived in Azerbaijan for six years and held no state position, rejected the accusations as fabricated, stressing he had no access to state secrets. He denied any collaboration with Armenian intelligence and characterized the charges as retaliation for his pro-peace writings and anti-war stance.
The next hearing, focusing on witness testimonies, is scheduled for May 16.
Court extends pre-trial detention of human rights defender
On April 29, the Binagadi District Court extended the pre-trial detention period of human rights defender Rufat Safarov by another month. Rufat Safarov, the executive director of the human rights organization “Defence Line” and a human rights advocate, was arrested on December 3, 2024. He has been charged under the Criminal Code with inflicting less serious bodily harm intentionally, fraud involving large-scale damage, and hooliganism.
Concerns mount over incommunicado detention of union leader
Relatives of Afiaddin Mammadov, the imprisoned chair of the Confederation of Workers’ Desk Trade Unions, report they have not heard from him since April 20—shortly after he issued a statement in support of opposition politician Tofig Yagublu. Mammadov, who usually calls his family every Monday, failed to do so last week. When relatives called the prison, another inmate reportedly said he had been transferred to solitary confinement.
Union board member Sara Rahimova reportedly detained
On April 29, Sara Rahimova, a board member of the Confederation of Workers’ Desk Trade Unions has reportedly been detained, with no contact for several hours. According to her relatives and fellow union members, Rahimova managed to inform her family that she was forcibly detained and being taken to a police station. She also shared a photo from inside a police vehicle.
The “Workers’ Desk” union was founded in 2022 to defend labor rights in Azerbaijan. Four of its members are currently imprisoned.