Caspian Wire | Prisoners went on hunger strike | May 2026

This bulletin documents May 2026 in Azerbaijan: a journalist beaten in pre-trial detention, a politician hospitalised and unable to walk, and the UN World Urban Forum held in Baku as hunger strikes began inside its prisons.

01

Journalists on Trial

World Press Freedom Day

On 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, RSF documented a 70-place fall in Azerbaijan’s press freedom ranking over 23 years, from 101st in 2002 to 171st in 2026. Detained journalist Fatima Movlamli marked the day with a reflection written from Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center, 14 months into her imprisonment, titled “Freedom of the press: absent today, present tomorrow?”, a personal meditation on the journalism she could no longer practise.

At the 1 May hearing, five detained Meydan TV journalists, Aysel Umudova, Khayala Aghayeva, Aytaj Tapdiq, Ulviyya Ali, and Fatima Movlamli staged a protest. They stood on their chairs and chanted slogans, including “Meydanda da yan-yana, zindanda da yan-yana” (“Together in the square, together in the prison”). Ulviyya Ali delivered a speech marking International Labour Day and commemorating activist Bayram Mammadov, who was found dead in Istanbul in 2021. At the 22 May hearing, Khayala Aghayeva gave a statement naming President Aliyev directly. Judges turned off her microphone. She continued aloud, and the judges left the room. Fatima Movlamli later wrote about the hearing from detention. Sevinj Vagifgizi, sentenced to nine years, was named to a global list of the 10 most important journalists to follow in 2026.

Nurlan Libre Beaten in Custody

On 2 May, Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) was attacked by prison guard Ismat Aliyev at Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center. According to his family, the guard first provoked him, then slammed his arms in the door window of a cell hatch, handcuffed him, and twisted his arms upward. Due to a ban on phone contact, his wife Asli Alizadeh did not learn what had happened until 12 May.

Toplum TV Case

On 4 May, the Toplum TV trial continued at Baku Court of Grave Crimes. Defendant Ramil Babayev had been on a hunger strike for five days, and reported vomiting blood twice. He was brought to court by force. A separate report on 28 May documented threats made against Babayev inside the detention facility. His lawyer demanded urgent medical attention.

Aytaj Tapdiq’s Family Targeted

On 28 May, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) issued a statement on detained Meydan TV journalist Aytaj Tapdiq (Ahmadova), calling for her immediate release. Earlier, on 12 May, it emerged that Tapdiq’s mother Dilruba Amanova had been banned from leaving Azerbaijan. This is another method of punishing the families of detained journalists and activists. Last month, Samira Gasimli, wife of imprisoned political analyst Azer Gasimli, director of the Political Management Institute, was prevented from boarding a flight to Europe at Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

On 7 May, Voice of America’s president issued a statement marking the first anniversary of the detention of journalist Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva), still held at Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center. AbzasMedia journalist Nargiz Absalamova had not received a medical examination in four months as of 27 May, according to her family.

02

Medical Neglect and Violence Behind Bars

Tofig Yaqublu Cannot Walk, Hospitalised

On 4 May, Tofig Yaqublu (Musavat Party, National Council) lost his ability to walk independently due to severe swelling in his legs. He was using crutches and had been held in quarantine at Penitentiary No. 17 for over 15 days. His daughter Nigar Hazi reported the deterioration to FVC. On 6 May, Yaqublu was hospitalised in critical condition. Repeated requests for specialist care had gone unanswered, and doctors had raised the possibility of Hepatitis C, though the family had not been given the blood test results.

Ilgar Aliyev’s Death in PrisoN

On 20 May, Abzas Media reported the final audio recording of Ilgar Aliyev, an ICT expert who died in Penitentiary No. 13 at the start of May. In the recording, made before his death, he said: “They fabricated the charges and imprisoned me.” Index on Censorship called for an international investigation into the circumstances of his death.

Nazim Beydamirli Denied Food and Medicine

From 15 May, former MP Nazim Beydamirli was denied food and medicine and placed in a punishment cell after being made to stand in the sun. According to his wife: “They are trying to kill him.” On 19 May, he was transferred from Penitentiary No. 13 to Penitentiary No. 6 without explanation. His family was not notified in advance.

Religious Prisoners Face Violence

On 1 May, it was reported that a prison guard at Penitentiary No. 17 had deliberately slammed the head of religious prisoner Rovshan Jabbarov in an iron door. On 30 April, religious prisoner Ismail Mammadov began a hunger strike after visits and calls with his family were blocked. On 13 May, Agaali Yahyayev (Muslim Unity Movement) remained without medical care; his sister wrote: “My brother is being left to die before our eyes.”

Elvin Mustafayev Tortured in Pre-Trial Detention

Elvin Mustafayev, a member of the Workers’ Desk Trade Union Confederation currently held at Penitentiary No. 17, reported on 20 May that he had been beaten by ten individuals: “Ten people fell on me. They beat me.” The same day, it was reported that AbzasMedia director Ulvi Hasanli’s wife had discovered unknown persons had entered their home while she was absent.

03

New Sentences, New Lists

On 14 May, the Azerbaijan Political Prisoners Liberation Alliance published its updated list of political prisoners: 328 names, including 15 women. The largest group — 182 people — are religious prisoners, followed by 44 members of opposition parties and civil society, 31 journalists and bloggers, and 8 human rights defenders. A Council of Europe report found that Azerbaijan ranks second in Europe for prison overcrowding, with facilities at critical capacity.

On 22 May, former party leader Anar Asadli was sentenced to 4.5 years by Baku Court of Grave Crimes. On 21 May, Muslim Unity Movement member Elgiz Mammadov received 3 years. On 6 May, Haji Valiyev, chairman of the Young Veterans civic union, received 2 years and 6 months.

On 21 May, the Supreme Court upheld the 15-year sentence against academic and peace activist Bahruz Samadov, rejecting his cassation appeal in full. On 14 May, the Baku Court of Appeal upheld the 6-year sentence of journalist and civic activist Ahmad Mammadli. At the hearing, Mammadli told the court: “I request you sentence me to death.”

A report released on 18 May by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) documented systematic persecution of independent lawyers in Azerbaijan: executive interference in the Bar Association, selective disciplinary sanctions, and disbarment of defence counsel representing political detainees.

04

WUF13 Forum in a City of Prisoners

The 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) opened in Baku on 17 May, bringing representatives of over 180 countries to the Baku Olympic Stadium. Rain disrupted the opening ceremony. The Azerbaijani government presented the forum as a sign of international standing.

On the same day, prisoners responded. From Penitentiary No. 2, economist Fazil Gasimov (AbzasMedia case) and Hafiz Babali announced the start of a hunger strike timed to coincide with the forum’s opening. Academic and peace activist Bahruz Samadov published a message inviting WUF13 guests to attend his Supreme Court hearing on 21 May. He wrote that every day in a high security prison was causing lasting damage to his health and eyesight.

On 5 May, the Political Prisoners’ Defence Committee wrote to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, appealing for international intervention ahead of WUF13.

05

International Pressure

US Senate Resolution Names Detained Journalists

On 3 May, the US Senate passed a resolution on World Press Freedom Day that specifically named journalists detained in Azerbaijan, including Sevinj Vagifgizi and Farid Mehralizada. The resolution called for their immediate release.

European Parliament Holds Azerbaijan Hearings

On 7 May, the European Parliament’s Human Rights Subcommittee held dedicated hearings on Azerbaijan. Witnesses included Leyla Mustafayeva of Free Voices Collective, and lawyer Samed Rahimli. Mustafayeva named four detained journalists, Aytaj Tapdiq, Khayala Aghayeva, Aysel Umudova, and Ulviyya Ali, as facing sexual harassment in detention. She told MEPs that approximately 400 political prisoners were being held. MEPs signed a statement on the National Assembly’s decision to suspend EP ties, calling it “unjustified.” EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, visiting Baku on 5 May, described Azerbaijan as a “valuable energy partner” and stated that human rights were “an inseparable part of EU-Azerbaijan relations.”

Tartar Case Returns to ECHR

On 19 May, the European Court of Human Rights resumed consideration of the “Tartar case” — one of Azerbaijan’s most documented episodes of mass torture, in which hundreds of military personnel were subjected to systematic abuse in 2017.

Since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran, over 220 Shia believers have been detained in Azerbaijan, according to a report published on 15 May.

06

Persecution Without Borders

Afgan Sadigov Travel Banned

On 26 May, journalist Afgan Sadigov, who was deported from Georgia to Azerbaijan, reported that an exit ban had immediately been placed on him. Sadigov is among a growing number of Azerbaijani media figures who have faced detention or pressure after returning from or being forcibly brought back from abroad.

Trial Opens for Assassination Attempt on Azerbaijani Blogger in France

On 26 May, a French court opened proceedings into a 2021 assassination attempt against Azerbaijani blogger Mahammad Mirzali, who has lived in exile in France. The case is among the most prominent alleged state-linked violence against Azerbaijani dissidents abroad.