POLITICAL PRISONERS DATABASE
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 (Guliyeva)
Journalist
Arrested May 7, 2025
Currently in pretrial detention