BAKHTIYAR HAJIYEV
Prominent civic activist known for his vocal criticism of the government, social campaigns, and numerous arrests related to his activism and political involvement.
About Bakhtiyar Hajiyev
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, born on 28 March 1982 in the Vardenis district of Armenia, is a prominent Azerbaijani civil society activist and a Harvard-educated public administration specialist.
He received his bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and cybernetics from Baku State University, Azerbaijan, in 2000, and later received master’s degrees in information technology and management from Khazar University, Azerbaijan, and in public administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School, USA.
In 2010, after working briefly at the World Bank, he returned to Azerbaijan, where he became a vocal critic of the government.
Hajiyev has a long history of political persecution. In 2011, he was imprisoned for 15 months on charges of evading military service, an act widely seen as retaliation for his political activism. His release came just before a visit from then-US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who later met with him.
In the years that followed, Hajiyev founded the Positive Change youth organisation, rallying young people to address public issues and launching several social campaigns, including “Say No to Bribery” and “Let’s Not Stay Silent” against rising utility costs.
He later established the Caspian Platform, facilitating public lectures and training for youth.
In February 2020, Hajiyev again ran for parliament, but remained unsuccessful. He claimed that the election results had been falsified in favour of the pro-government candidate, Nigar Arpadarai.
In the years leading up to his most recent arrest, Hajiyev became known for his outspoken criticism of government officials on social media. In 2022, he claimed to be abducted and attacked by masked individuals who demanded he delete his posts. He reported the incident to the police, but the case went unresolved. His activism and direct challenges to authority have made him a recurring target of the Azerbaijani government.
Hajiyev had a public dispute with journalist Ulviya Alovlu (Muradova), leading both to file complaints against each other. Investigations into the matter initially took place at the Police Department of Yasamal district, but were later transferred to the Main Police Department of Baku City. Hajiyev repeatedly petitioned Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, requesting that the authorities hold Alovlu accountable. Frustrated by the lack of action, he criticised the Minister of Internal Affairs, Vilayat Eyvazov, on social media and even attempted suicide in front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Case description
On December 9, 2022, Hajiyev was arrested and initially charged with hooliganism and contempt of court. These charges stemmed from a dispute with a journalist, which allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation in the courtroom.
Over the course of the investigation, the indictment was amended. In June and November 2023, new charges were added, including illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, smuggling, tax evasion, and using forged documents. Hajiyev rejected all charges, claiming that his arrest was politically motivated and that he is being punished for criticising Interior Minister Vilayat Eyvazov.
On January 13, 2025, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes sentenced Hajiyev to 10 years in prison on all charges. The court also ordered the confiscation of his house and bank accounts and imposed a one-year ban on his educational activities upon his release.
Hajiyev’s detention was marked by two significant hunger strikes. The first began shortly after his arrest and lasted for 50 days, leading to a sharp decline in his health. The second hunger strike began in January 2023. During this period, intimate photos and messages from his private social media accounts were leaked in what appeared to be a smear campaign. He ended the second hunger strike in March 2023.
Throughout his imprisonment, Hajiyev’s health has been a persistent concern. In June 2024, the penitentiary service allowed him to undergo a medical examination at a private clinic at his family’s expense.
Resources about Bakhtiyar Hajiyev
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