Date of Birth: 26 February 1986
Detained Since: 1 November 2022
Affiliation: Talysh civic activist; advocate for Talysh linguistic and cultural rights

Charges:

• High treason (Art. 274)

• Incitement of national hatred and hostility (Art. 283.1)

Conviction and Sentence:

On 10 October 2024, the Baku Assize Court found Mirhafiz Jafarzade guilty and sentenced him to 16 years’ imprisonment in a strict-regime penal institution. The sentence is counted from 11 November 2022.

Political Prisoner Status:

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

• (a) Violation of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, freedom of association, liberty, and the right to a fair trial under the European Convention on Human Rights.

• (e) Politically motivated prosecution linked to his Talysh civic activism and refusal to cooperate with security services.

Summary:

Mirhafiz Jafarzade is an Azerbaijani citizen, orientalist by education, and a Talysh civic activist known for advocating linguistic and cultural rights, including the promotion of Talysh-language education. He had long been active on social and political issues, particularly concerning minority identity and community rights.

He was detained on 11 November 2022 following earlier questioning by the State Security Service. He was later charged with treason and incitement of national hatred, based on alleged Telegram communications and social media posts attributed to an account named “Rosta Merd.” Jafarzade denied all accusations, stating that he had never used the account and that the case was fabricated.

The prosecution relied heavily on security-service-generated digital evidence, including alleged messages and voice recordings, as well as witness statements that were often based on information provided by investigators rather than personal knowledge. Key issues, such as the authenticity and attribution of the online accounts, were not convincingly established, yet the court accepted the prosecution’s narrative without thorough scrutiny.

His trial was held in closed session, limiting transparency and independent oversight. The court did not meaningfully examine inconsistencies in the evidence or alternative interpretations of the alleged conduct, including whether the information in question was genuinely sensitive or whether his statements constituted protected expression rather than incitement.

Mr. Jafarzade’s case is widely viewed as part of a broader pattern of repression against Talysh activists and minority-rights advocates in Azerbaijan. His prosecution reflects longstanding state sensitivity toward Talysh identity issues and is considered politically motivated, aimed at suppressing civic activism and deterring minority advocacy.

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