20 political prisoners emblematic of repression in Azerbaijan
Repression – and politically motivated detention – are at the heart of all the human rights and environmental issues in Azerbaijan. As the country prepares to host COP29, it is clear that there can be no climate justice without justice against repression. In this blog, we are publishing the profiles of emblematic political prisoners – individuals who are solely detained for their political or civil engagement, their human rights related activities or their profession as a lawyer or journalist.
ANAR MAMMADLI
A human rights defender, (former) political prisoner, advocate for free and fair elections, good governance and political rights, and recipient of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize by the Council of Europe.
SEVINJ VAGIFGIZI
A woman human rights defender, journalist, editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, was among several journalists being secretly monitored by the Azerbaijani government through their phones using Pegasus spyware.
ULVI HASANLI
Abzas Media Director, human rights defender and journalist, contributed alongside blogger Mehman Huseynov to investigations by Sancaq Production, focusing on corruption among government officials.
TOFIG YAGUBLU
Pro-democracy opposition politician, repeatedly imprisoned on politically motivated charges since the 1998 presidential election.
AFIADDIN MAMMADOV
Social activist, union leader and defender of workers’ rights as human rights.
AKIF GURBANOV
Advocate for democratic transition, good governance and decenetralisation, Head of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives and facilitator of the III Republic Platform.
ALI ZEYNALOV
A public activist and video creator, currently imprisoned on disputed smuggling charges, known for his work with independent media and youth journalism programs in Azerbaijan.
NARGIZ ABSALAMOVA
A journalist with Abzas Media, currently imprisoned on disputed charges, known for her investigative reports exposing government corruption in Azerbaijan.
BAKHTIYAR HAJIYEV
A prominent public activist known for his vocal criticism of the government, social campaigns, and numerous arrests related to his activism and political involvement.
ELNARA GASIMOVA
A courageous Azerbaijani journalist working for Abzas Media, known for her investigations into corruption and her resilience in the face of repeated arrests and state pressure.
EMIN IBRAHIMOV
A former Azerbaijani diplomat imprisoned for protesting human rights violations and criticizing the government.
FARID MEHRALIZADE
An Azerbaijani economist and former head of research at Unibank, currently imprisoned on disputed charges related to his independent economic analyses and criticism of government policies.
ALASGAR MAMMADLI
The founder of Toplum TV and a media law expert, currently imprisoned on disputed charges, while his health condition raises serious concerns.
HAFIZ BABALI
An investigative journalist and corruption researcher, currently imprisoned on disputed charges, known for his critical reports on corruption in Azerbaijan.
RUSLAN IZZATLI
A political activist and former leader of the D18 Movement, currently imprisoned on disputed charges related to his criticism of the government.
NAZIM BAYDAMIRLI
A former deputy and businessman, currently imprisoned on disputed charges stemming from his criticism of corruption and environmental issues.
IMRAN ALIYEV
The director of the Meclis Info platform, currently imprisoned on disputed charges, known for his election monitoring and criticism of government actions.
FAMIL KHALILOV
A public activist with cerebral palsy, currently imprisoned after being deported from Sweden, known for his criticism of the government.
ILHAMIZ GULIYEV
A public activist and former investigator, currently imprisoned after criticizing government abuse of activists in an anonymous interview.
NIYAMADDIN AHMADOV
An Azerbaijani PFPA activist, currently serving a 13-year prison sentence on disputed charges, known for his role as the bodyguard of party leader Ali Karimli.
DR. GUBAD IBADOGHLU
Prominent academic, corruption fighter, and oil and gas industry critique detained on dubious charges, denied essential medication and care in Azerbaijan.
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