Tofiq Yaqublu: “Why Is Ilham Aliyev Afraid? The Snail-Paced March of Democracy”

In a powerful letter from prison, opposition politician and National Council member Tofiq Yaqublu denounces the total collapse of the rule of law in Azerbaijan and warns that the regime’s growing repression is a sign of fear, not strength.

Yaqublu writes that Azerbaijan’s law enforcement and judicial systems no longer function according to the law:

“It’s wrong to say they work badly. The truth is—they don’t work at all. Their only task now is to carry out illegal orders from the presidential administration, targeting opposition figures, civil society actors, and journalists with fabricated charges.”

He highlights how thousands of officials—judges, prosecutors, police—have been morally corrupted by taking part in the wrongful imprisonment of innocent people.

“There hasn’t been a single brave official who refused to carry out these unlawful commands.”

Yaqublu describes his own court case, where he completely disproved the fraud and forgery charges against him during a 10-month trial, only to be convicted anyway.

“Even undeniable proof, alibis, and witness testimony don’t matter. The outcome is pre-decided.”

He accuses President Ilham Aliyev of disabling all institutions of accountability—from parliament and the ombudsman to NGOs and media—leaving no checks on repression.

Commenting on recent demands for 12-year sentences for Abzas Media journalists, he says:

“They exposed the regime’s theft of public money. Their reward? Being shamelessly framed and punished. This is the future awaiting all voices of dissent.”

Yet, Yaqublu urges resilience, not despair:

“Yes, the situation is dark, and it may get darker. Even top leaders of the National Council, Musavat, or the Popular Front Party may be jailed. But Aliyev’s increasingly brutal tactics reveal his fear—fear of the people, the opposition, and of justice. These are not the actions of a confident leader. These are reflexes of desperation.”

He closes with a call to remain hopeful:

“Don’t lose heart—we’ve already come a long way. Everything will be alright.
Long live democracy. Down with dictatorship!”