POLITICAL PRISONERS DATABASE
WHO IS CONSIDERED A POLITICAL PRISONER?
A political prisoner is someone jailed primarily for their political beliefs, activities, or affiliations rather than genuine criminal conduct. In Azerbaijan, civil society argues this should be judged using the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) approach under Article 18 of the European Convention, which offers more precision than the Council of Europe’s Resolution 1900 (2012). ECtHR cases such as Ilgar Mammadov v. Azerbaijan, Alexei Navalny v. Russia, and Rasul Jafarov v. Azerbaijan identify hallmarks of politically motivated detention: ulterior motives to silence dissent, charges lacking credible evidence, targeting of journalists and activists, serious due process violations, patterns of repression, and a political climate or official rhetoric that exposes the real intent behind prosecutions.
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
Convicted
Nargiz Absalamova
Journalist
Arrested November 30, 2023
Convicted
Elnara Gasimova
Journalist
Arrested January 13, 2024
Convicted
Hafiz Babali
Journalist
Arrested December 13, 2023
Convicted
Mahammad Kekalov
Journalist
Arrested November 20, 2023
Convicted
Igbal Abilov
Researcher
Arrested July 22, 2024
Convicted
Bahruz Samadov
Researcher
Arrested August 21, 2024
Convicted
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
Convicted
Azer Gasimli
Political Leader
Arrested December 8, 2024
Currently in pretrial detention
Farid Mehralizada
Journalist
Arrested May 30, 2024
Convicted
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 (Guliyeva)
Journalist
Arrested May 7, 2025
Bashir Suleymanli
Bashir Suleymanli
Rights Defender
Arrested March 14, 2025
Bashir Suleymanli