Imprisoned Union Leader Afiaddin Mammadov Reportedly Threatened in Prison

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 No. 2, where he is currently detained.

In a letter shared with his family on May 30, Mammadov described inhumane living conditions:

“Over 250 prisoners share only four toilets. Rats roam the kitchen freely, chewing through food containers.”

He also stated that his cell is overcrowded and that his public statements have focused not only on political prisoners but on the rights of all inmates.

Following the publication of his letter, the prison administration reportedly began exerting psychological pressure on him and issued threats of transfer to a stricter regime facility.

The Penitentiary Service and leadership of Prison No. 2 have not yet responded to the allegations.

In comments to Radio Azadliq, Zahid Oruj, chair of the Azerbaijani parliament’s Human Rights Committee, acknowledged that the Justice Ministry is aware of such complaints:

“Some political prisoners present issues in ways that imply they deserve special treatment. This can create tension among inmates. But regardless of who raises the issue—if there’s a problem, it must be addressed.”

Oruj also noted that prison overcrowding remains a persistent concern, sometimes exceeding capacity by 1.5 times.

Background:
Afiaddin Mammadov is a well-known labor rights advocate and co-founder of the “Workers’ Table” Confederation, launched in March 2022 to defend workers’ rights in Azerbaijan. He has faced multiple administrative arrests for organizing protests.

On September 20, 2023, he was arrested on criminal charges including:

• Intentional infliction of serious harm (126.2.4)
• Hooliganism with a weapon (221.3)
• Illegal possession of a weapon (228.4)

He denies all charges, which supporters describe as politically motivated. On January 14, Mammadov was sentenced to eight years in prison.