RUSLAN IZZATLI
Political activist and former leader of the D18 Movement, currently imprisoned on disputed charges related to his criticism of the government.
About Ruslan Izzatli
Ruslan Izzatli was born on 18 April 1989, in the Aghdam district of Azerbaijan. He held a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Theory from the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts (2008–2012) and a master’s in Global Politics and International Relations from Bahcheshehir University in Turkey. In 2011, he graduated from the Baku Political Knowledges School of the Council of Europe.
Izzatli has been involved in youth organisations since the early stages of his career. He became the chairperson of the United Azerbaijan Youth Organization in 2009 and served until 2012. He later joined the Umid Party’s executive board as deputy chairperson from 2012 to 2013. He resigned after the party congratulated President Ilham Aliyev following the 2013 elections, in disagreement with the party’s stance.
In 2013, Izzatli founded the D18 Movement and served as its first chairperson until 2021. The movement sought to promote democratic values and continued its activities until September 2023, when it ceased operations.
Izzatli ran in parliamentary elections in 2015 and 2020, representing the 33rd Khatai I district. The results of the 2020 election were annulled due to widespread irregularities in the district.
Despite having been declared unfit for military service due to health issues in 2007, Izzatli was unexpectedly drafted in May 2020, a move he attributed to his political activities and criticism of the government.
During his military service, Izzatli took part in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and was awarded the Medal for the Liberation of Fuzuli.
After returning from military service, he resumed political activism, leading to further clashes with authorities. On June 26, 2022, Izzatli was summoned to the Prosecutor General’s Office and warned for his social media posts about the challenges faced by military personnel and war veterans.
Izzatli is one of the founding members of the III Republic Platform, established on 7 December 2023. On 6 March 2024, he was detained alongside others during raids on the offices of Toplum TV and the Institute for Democratic Initiatives. Although he was released the same day, two days later, on 8 March, while waiting outside the Police Department of Khatai District, he was forcibly taken into a vehicle and disappeared. It was later revealed that Izzatli was charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling by an organised group).
Following his arrest, Izzatli’s home was searched. He faces the same charges as Toplum TV founder Alasgar Mammadli and other members of the III Republic Platform. The Main Police Department of Baku City is investigating their cases, and they are being held at the Baku Detention Center in Kurdakhani.
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