Caspian Wire: New Arrests, Trials, and Civil Society Under Siege | March 2025
Civil society under renewed pressure in Azerbaijan
In early February 2025, Azerbaijani authorities renewed a dormant criminal investigation targeting civil society organizations and their leaders under a case initially opened in April, 2014.
The reopened criminal investigation, overseen by the Prosecutor General’s Office’s investigation department, accuses NGOs of violating Azerbaijani law through alleged illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, and misuse of authority. Despite partial termination of charges in June 2023 for select NGOs due to a lack of evidence, the broader criminal investigation has persisted covertly, keeping civil society under constant legal threat.
Journalist detained in relation to the “Meydan TV case”
On February 28, journalist Fatima Movlamli was detained in relation to the “Meydan TV case.” On March 1, the Khatai District Court sentenced the journalist to one month and nine days in pretrial detention. Movlamli is facing traditional smuggling charges.
The same month, journalists Shamshad Agha and Nurlan Gahramanli (Libre) were also detained as part of the ongoing investigation against Meydan TV. . Both journalists were charged with smuggling and placed under preventive detention.
The number of people arrested in the “Meydan TV case” has reached ten.
Blogger imprisoned for seven years on extortion charges
On March 3, blogger Arzu Sayadoghlu (Mammadov) was sentenced to seven years on extortion charges. Sayadoglu was arrested after sharing a video of employees at various institutions under the supervision of Tovuz Culture Center forced to community service. The head of the center claimed the blogger was demanding 6 thousand manats from him and when he refused, the blogger shot and shared the video of the employees.
Abzas Media trials continue
On March 4, Abzas Media journalists once again refused to attend, in person, the hearing, on the grounds that their previous complaints of physical violence and ill-treatment they faced at the Baku Pre-Trial Detention Centre No. 1 were left unaddressed and not investigated.
This was the third time the journalist refused to attend the hearing in person The journalists resumed their participation on March 11 where several of them testified. The next Abzas Media hearing is scheduled for April 1.
Transparency International’s Azerbaijan chapter shuts down
On March 6, Transparency International’s chapter in Azerbaijan shut down. The chapter was set up in 2001. Transparency International was criticized by state news agency APA for the organization’s bias toward Azerbaijan.
Activist charged in relation to the “Majlis.info case”
Activist Elgiz Gahraman was formally charged as a defendant in the “Majlis.info”o case. According to the statement Gahraman shared on his social media account on March 7, he was summoned for questioning at the Baku City Main Police Department on February 27, where he was declared a defendant in the “Majlis Info case.
Queer activist arrested after solo protest
Queer activist Rauf Heydarov was sent into 30-day administrative detention after holding a sign on March 8 with the names and pictures of arrested 9 women journalists in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Veteran opposition politician sentenced to 9 years
On March 10, Tofig Yagublu, a former member of the opposition Musavat party, and a senior politician in the National Council of Democratic Forces, a coalition of opposition parties and activists, was sentenced to nine years on bogus fraud and forgery charges.
Following his sentence the National Council of Democratic Forces issued a statement condemning the sentence.
Yagublu announced he would start a hunger strike on April 1, protesting his sentence. In a message sent by Yagublu and shared by his daughter Nigar Hezi, Yagublu said he would rather die than leave the prison at the age of 75.
The EU has issued a statement condemning the sentence.
Scholar sentenced to nine years
Arrested scholar Fazil Gasimov was sentenced to nine years on March 13.
Gasimov was pursuing his PhD Degree in Istanbul prior to his forced deportation to Azerbaijan, where he was arrested in August 2023. Gasimov’s arrest was first linked to the criminal investigation launched against academic scholar Gubad Ibadoglu.
During his pre-trial detention, Gasimov went on a hunger strike in protest.
Meydan TV journalists’ detention extended
On March 14, the pretrial detention of Meydan TV journalists Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunesh), Natig Javadli, Ramin Jabrayilov (Deko), Aysel Umudova, Khayala Aghayeva, Fatima Movlamli, and Shamshad Aghayev, editor-in-chief of the “argument az” website, was extended by another three months. Ulvi Tahirov, who was arrested together with Meydan TV journalists but was not the news platform’s employee, also had his pretrial detention period extended by 3 months.
Four human rights defenders detained in Baku
On March 14, the Prosecutor General’s Office detained four independent human rights defenders in Baku. Bashir Suleymanli, head of the “Civil Rights” Institute; Hafiz Hasanov, head of the “Law and Development” Public Union; Mammad Mammadzadeh, head of the “Election Observation Alliance”; and Khalid Agaliyev, coordinator of the “Media Rights” Institute, were detained.
Hafiz Hasanov and Khalid Agaliyev were released the same day. Mammadzadeh and Suleymanli were charged with the legalization of property, abuse of official authority and fraudulent conduct.
Hasanov was then re-arrested and sentenced to pretrial detention under house arrest.
Azerbaijan summons exiled dissidents
On March 16, the Prosecutor General’s Office summoned several exiled Azerbaijani dissidents—Gabil Mammadov, Tural Sadigli, Mahammad Mirzali, Gurban Mammadov, Ilgar Hajiyev, and Elshad Mammadov—for investigation through notices published in the press.
Elman Nasirov, a member of the Human Rights Committee of the Milli Majlis (Parliament of Azerbaijan) , said the authorities expect their deportations/extradition to Azerbaijan in the near future.
This leaves the pundits to project that likely sentencing in absentia trends will also be applied to other Azerbaijanis in exile.
Lawyer placed on wanted list
On March 17, the authorities opened a criminal case in absentia against Subhan Hasanli, a lawyer and director of the Social Rights Center. He has been placed on a wanted list given Hasanli is currently outside of Azerbaijan. Hasanli is accused of illegal entrepreneurship, tax evasion, abuse of office, legalization of illegal property, and official fraud.
Special quarantine measures extended until July
On March 18, special quarantine measures were extended until July 1 by the decree of the Prime Minister.
Special quarantine measures were first introduced in Azerbaijan on March 24, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite the end of the pandemic, the measures and the closure of land borders have continued for nearly five years.
Azerbaijan suspends partnerships with UN agencies, plans ICRC closure
The government of Azerbaijan fully suspended or partially reduced its partnership with several UN agencies and announced its intention to shut down the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Azerbaijan. The committee’s spokesperson, Aurélie Lachant, later confirmed the information. The closure process is part of a confidential and bilateral dialogue between the Azerbaijani authorities and ICRC.
The four UN Agencies include the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Erasmus+ projects unofficially halted
All projects implemented in Azerbaijan under the European Union’s Erasmus+ program, known as the European Union’s support for education, have been unofficially suspended. From March 2025 on, new projects will no longer be registered, and the implementation of active programs is being reserved. Parviz Bagirov, the director of the National Erasmus+ Office in Azerbaijan, shared the information on his social media.
Rights defender’s detention prolonged
On March 18, the pretrial detention period of Rufat Safarov, executive director of the Defense Line and human rights defender, was extended by one and a half months. Safarov was detained on December 3, 2024, and is facing what local and international human rights monitors describe as politically motivated charges.
“Toplum TV” hearing set for April 2
The first court hearing in the “Toplum TV case” is scheduled for April 2. The trial will be held at the Baku Grave Crimes Court.
On March 6, 2024, police searched the offices of Toplum TV, the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI), and the III Republic Platform and the homes of several employees. More than twenty people were detained. While most were released, a number of journalists and civil society representatives were remanded to custody in relation to the Toplum TV case.
Authorities leveled six additional charges against the defendants on January 17, 2025.
No jail time for man in underage pregnancy case
On March 12, 2025, a 24-year-old man (born in 2001) was charged under Article 152.4.1 of the Criminal Code for repeatedly engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor (born in 2010). After learning that the minor was pregnant, families organized a small wedding. The minor’s family approved of the child moving in with the family of the assailant. According to court documents, the assailant was arrested after the pregnant minor visited a hospital for a routine check-up in her fifth month of pregnancy. Shortly after, police arrested the “father.” The child’s family pressed no charges. The assailant was then handed a six-year suspended sentence and released with a one-year probation period.
He now lives with the victim, a 14-year-old mother, and a newborn. Azerbaijani law clearly defines anyone under 18 as a child and sets the legal marriage age at 18 (though exceptions can allow marriage at 17 in rare circumstances).
Company director arrested after illegal demolition of occupied home
In Baku’s Yasamal district, a construction company known as Melissa Group carried out an unauthorized demolition of a residential building while residents were still inside. Footage circulated on March 27 showed an excavator demolishing the building at 118B Abdulvahab Salamzade Street, sparking a public outcry. Authorities quickly detained the company’s director, Qalib Mammadov, along with the project manager and excavator driver.
The Interior Ministry confirms that a criminal investigation is underway under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code. Meanwhile, the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture inspected the site and confirmed that the demolition was carried out without proper permits, adding that it would forward details to law enforcement agencies to assess the damage to residents’ property.