Azerbaijani Opposition Member Faces Home Raid, Device Seizure, and Family Reprisal

On the morning of July 17, prominent human rights defender and member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), Zəfər Əhmədov, was subjected to an early-morning home raid carried out by Azerbaijan’s General Prosecutor’s Office. The operation involved six plainclothes operatives, a lead investigator, and two official witnesses, all acting on the basis of a search warrant issued by the Binagadi District Court.

The authorities searched his home and seized all electronic devices, including those belonging to family members. Despite being called in only as a witness in a case that was opened years ago and presumed closed, both Zəfər and his relative Fuad were taken to the Prosecutor’s Office. They were held there for questioning until 6:00 PM before being released.

The seized phones and computers were returned only on July 19 at 3:00 PM, and efforts are still ongoing to restore them to proper working condition.

Key Concerns:

1. Unlawful Home Search: Azerbaijani legal norms generally prohibit home searches for individuals summoned solely as witnesses, raising serious questions about the legality of the raid.
2. Political Reprisal Against Family: On July 19, Zəfər’s relative Fuad was fired from his job — a position he had worked hard to obtain and was deeply committed to. This appears to be a retaliatory act, aimed at amplifying the pressure on Zəfər.
3. Continued Harassment of Opposition Voices: This incident follows a worrying pattern of digital repression and surveillance targeting political opposition members and rights defenders.

Despite the circumstances, Zəfər expressed gratitude to those who conducted the operation respectfully and to the many supporters who reached out during the ordeal.

“I’ve shared all that I safely can — both for my own protection and that of others. I have no further comment at this time. I sincerely hope better days are ahead and wish all good people strength and safety,” he said in a public statement.

Zəfər Əhmədov has long been an active figure in Azerbaijan’s civil society and opposition movement. The ongoing harassment he faces illustrates the deepening climate of political intimidation, aimed at silencing dissent even through indirect pressure such as targeting family members and digital assets.