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POLITICAL PRISONERS DATABASE

POLITICAL PRISONERS DATABASE

As of March 3, 2025 there are 350 political prisoners behind bars in Azerbaijan.

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WHO IS CONSIDERED A POLITICAL PRISONER?

A political prisoner is an individual who is deprived of liberty primarily due to their political activities, beliefs, or affiliations, rather than legitimate criminal behavior. In the Azerbaijani context, the determination of political prisoner status must go beyond general definitions like those in the Council of Europe’s Resolution 1900 (2012), which has been criticized for vagueness and insufficient legal precision. A more comprehensive and legally grounded approach comes from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), particularly through its interpretation of Article 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights. In cases like Ilgar Mammadov v Azerbaijan, Alexei Navalny v Russia, and Rasul Jafarov v Azerbaijan, the Court has outlined indicators of politically motivated trials and detentions, including: 1) Ulterior political motives - the detention aims to silence opposition, suppress activism, or punish critics, rather than address a genuine legal violation, 2) Lack of reasonable suspicion - a person is detained without credible evidence or legal justification, often based on vague, fabricated, or irrelevant charges, 3) Targeting civil society - Individuals are specifically targeted because of their roles in human rights work, journalism, or political dissent, 4) Due process violations - the trial is marked by unfair procedures, such as a lack of judicial independence, manipulation of evidence, or denial of legal protections. 5) Systematic repression - the case is part of a larger pattern, where several opposition figures or activists are prosecuted under similar charges, 6) Political context and official statements - public rhetoric from government officials or the surrounding political climate points to the real motive behind the prosecution. Civil society and legal experts in Azerbaijan advocate for the application of this ECtHR-based framework to ensure a rigorous, fair, and rights-respecting determination.

Akif Gurbanov

Political Leader

Arrested March 6, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Ali Zeynalov

Journalist

Arrested March 6, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Ruslan Izzatli

Activist

Arrested March 8, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Alasgar Mammadli

Journalist

Arrested March 8, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Mushfig Jabarov

Journalist

Arrested March 6, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Ilkin Amrahov

Activist

Arrested March 6, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Ramil Babayev

Activist

Arrested March 6, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Sevinj Vagifgizi (Abbasova)

Journalist

Arrested November 21, 2023

Currently in pretrial detention

Nargiz Absalamova

Journalist

Arrested November 30, 2023

Currently in pretrial detention

Elnara Gasimova

Journalist

Arrested January 13, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Hafiz Babali

Journalist

Arrested December 13, 2023

Currently in pretrial detention

Mahammad Kekalov

Journalist

Arrested November 20, 2023

Currently in pretrial detention

Igbal Abilov

Researcher

Arrested July 22, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Bahruz Samadov

Researcher

Arrested August 21, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Anar Mammadli

Rights Defender

Arrested April 29, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Mohyaddin Orujov

Activist

Arrested December 13, 2023

Convicted

Afiaddin Mammadov

Activist

Arrested September 20, 2023

Convicted

Elvin Mustafayev

Activist

Arrested August 4, 2023

Convicted

Aykhan Israfilov

Activist

Arrested August 11, 2023

Convicted

Fazil Gasimov

Researcher

Arrested August 7, 2023

Convicted

Rufat Safarov

Rights Defender

Arrested December 3, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Ulvi Hasanli

Journalist

Arrested November 20, 2023

Currently in pretrial detention

Azer Gasimli

Political Leader

Arrested December 8, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Farid Mehralizada

Journalist

Arrested May 30, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Ilhamiz Guliyev

Activist

Arrested December 4, 2023

Convicted

Aynur Elgunash (Ganbarova)

Journalist

Arrested December 6, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Aysel Umudova

Journalist

Arrested December 6, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Aytaj Taptiq (Ahmadova)

Journalist

Arrested December 6, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Khayala Agayeva

Journalist

Arrested December 6, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Ulvi Tahirov

Journalist

Arrested December 6, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Natig Javadli

Journalist

Arrested December 6, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Ramin Deko (Jabrailzada)

Journalist

Arrested December 6, 2024

Currently in pretrial detention

Farid Ismayilov

Journalist

Arrested January 17, 2025

Currently in pretrial detention

Shamsgad Agha

Journalist

Arrested February 5, 2025

Currently in pretrial detention

Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli)

Journalist

Arrested February 21, 2025

Currently in pretrial detention

Fatima Movlamli

Journalist

Arrested February 28, 2025

Currently in pretrial detention

Ulviyya Ali

Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva)

Journalist

Arrested May 7, 2025

Currently in pretrial detention