ANAR ABDULLA
Office manager, group coordinator for Young Managers at the Institute of Democratic Initiatives (IDI); detained on spurious charges.
About Ilkin Amrahov
Born on 4 December 2001, Ilkin Amrahov is a young civil society activist and researcher in international relations. He is described as someone who ‘raised his voice’ against social injustice.
Amrahov studied International Relations at the Academy of Public Administration. Known for his high academic performance, his interests included Azerbaijan’s foreign policy and conflict studies, with his research focusing on ‘Karabakh energy potential: renewable energy project and benefits.’
Before his arrest, Amrahov served as an Office Manager and Group Coordinator for the “Young Project Managers-2” programme at the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI), where he had previously completed the “Young Project Managers” programme as an intern.
Case description
On 6 March 2024, the police raided the shared offices of Toplum TV and IDI. They arrested several individuals, including Amrahov. Based on claims that they allegedly found large amounts of foreign currency at his home, the investigative authorities charged Amrahov with smuggling foreign currency (Criminal Code Article 206.3.2).
On 17 January 2025, authorities amended the indictment and brought new charges against Amrahov and his co-defendants, including illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, tax evasion, and smuggling committed by an organised group. Like the others in the case, he denied all charges, claiming political motives behind his arrest.1
On 2 April 2025, during the preliminary hearing of the case at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, the judge rejected a motion for his release into house arrest.
During the May 2025 court hearings, Amrahov requested the return of personal items seized during the search of his home, including electronic devices. According to his father, the family had struggled financially since his arrest because Amrahov, despite earning a low salary, was a crucial source of support for his diabetic mother and his younger brother, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia after he was beaten and injured in the army.2
As of January 2026, his trial is ongoing.3
References
Resources about Ilkin Amrahov
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