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Ilham Aliyev’s Political Portrait: The Manifestation of Authoritarian Absurdity in

Prepared by Khar Center – Presented with abridgements by HumanRightsAZ.com IntroductionWhile authoritarian leadership manifests itself in various forms worldwide, Azerbaijan under Ilham Aliyev represents one of the most absurd and ironically theatrical expressions of this model. Inheriting power from his father in 2003, Aliyev transformed a transitional presidency into a fully personalized autocracy. Despite official […]

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Three Musavat Party Activists Sentenced to Prison for “Group Hooliganism”

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Three members of the opposition Musavat Party have been sentenced to prison in what the party describes as a politically motivated ruling. According to a statement released on Musavat’s official Facebook page, the Baku court sentenced: The charges stem from an incident following a New Year’s event organized by the Musavat Party’s Bilasuvar district branch

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Defense Lawyers Speak Out in “AbzasMedia Case” as Journalists Await Final Verdict

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On June 10, the Baku Serious Crimes Court held another hearing in the ongoing “AbzasMedia case,” where defense lawyers for the imprisoned journalists and media workers delivered their final statements. Investigative journalist Hafiz Babali also delivered his closing remarks. Presided over by Judge Rasim Sadikhov, the hearing saw lawyers unanimously dismiss all charges as politically

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Updated List of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan Reaches 375

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The “Freedom for Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan” Alliance has released an updated list of political prisoners in the country, now totaling 375 individuals. This reflects an increase of 21 new names compared to the previous list published on February 12, 2025, which included 357 prisoners. The new entries include: The list was compiled by Leyla

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Imran Aliyev Accused of Collaboration in “AbzasMedia Case”; Defendants Reject Charges

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A new hearing has taken place in the criminal case against Imran Aliyev, editor of Meclis.info, and civil society activists Elgiz Gahraman and Tamella Musayeva. All three defendants denied the charges at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, where Judge Roman Alekperli presided and prosecutor Jovdat Mehraliyev read the indictment. According to the prosecution, the Meclis.info

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Trial Begins for Imprisoned Human Rights Defender Rufat Safarov

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The criminal trial of Rufat Safarov, executive director of the Azerbaijani human rights organization Defense Line, is set to begin at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, where his case has been officially referred. Safarov was arrested on December 3, 2024, and is facing charges under the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan: According to the prosecution, Safarov

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Another Azerbaijani Opposition Member Faces Criminal Charges After Release from Administrative Detention

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Rahil Guliyev, a member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP) from Qaradağ District, has reportedly been charged in a new criminal case shortly after completing a 30-day administrative detention. The news was shared on Facebook by his brother Elnur Guliyev, who also serves as a volunteer bodyguard to party leader Ali Karimli. According to

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Imprisoned Union Leader Afiaddin Mammadov Reportedly Threatened in Prison

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Afiaddin Mammadov, the imprisoned chairman of the “Workers’ Table” Trade Union Confederation, is reportedly facing threats and pressure from prison officials after exposing unsanitary conditions in the facility where he is held. According to a June 6 statement by the Confederation, Mammadov was threatened with transfer to a higher-security prison by the administration of Prison

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Hunger-Striking Economist Fazil Gasimov Denied Medical Care After 27 Days Without Food

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Fazil Gasimov, an Azerbaijani economist and PhD student formerly detained in Turkey and extradited to Azerbaijan, has been on a hunger strike for 27 days in protest of what he calls politically motivated imprisonment. According to his brother, Nazim Gasimov, his health has significantly deteriorated, but he is being denied adequate medical care. Fazil is

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“We Will Continue to Expose the Suffering of the Marginalized” – Letter from Political Prisoner Ulviyya Ali

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(This is an excerpted opinion piece written by jailed journalist Ulviyya Ali and shared from prison with JAMnews.) In a deeply personal letter from detention, journalist and political prisoner Ulviyya Ali reflects on the pervasive injustice in Azerbaijan—particularly the systemic violence and indifference toward the most vulnerable. Although she has been in prison for less

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