POLITICAL PRISONERS DATABASE
WHO IS CONSIDERED A POLITICAL PRISONER?
A political prisoner is someone arbitrarily detained for politically motivated reasons, violating international human rights law's prohibition against such detention. While the Council of Europe's PACE initially established criteria for identifying political prisoners, these were considered somewhat broad. A more comprehensive approach has emerged from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) through its rulings on cases involving politically motivated restrictions on rights. The ECtHR's framework, highlighted in cases like Mammadov and Ibrahimov, provides a more nuanced understanding by considering the individual's status, the surrounding political context, the conduct of investigations, and the actions of the authorities. This quadripartite test allows for a more thorough evaluation of whether detention is truly politically motivated rather than based on legitimate legal grounds. In essence, determining who is a political prisoner involves examining both the reasons behind the detention and the fairness of the legal process within the broader political environment. The ECtHR's detailed criteria are presented as a more effective method for identifying political prisoners compared to earlier, more general definitions.
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