The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a statement expressing serious concern over reports of human rights violations and alleged torture against Ulvi Hasanli, the jailed director of AbzasMedia, who is currently on hunger strike in the Umbaki prison. According to the CPJ, the reports of mistreatment and legal violations against Hasanli raise serious […]
On July 2, 2025, the Baku Court of Appeal reviewed the appeals filed by journalists Nurlan Qahramanli (Libre) and Khayala Agayeva against the extension of their pre-trial detention as part of the “Meydan TV case”. Nurlan Qahramanli’s case was presided over by Judge Emin Aliyev, and Khayala Agayeva’s case by Judge Ibrahim Ibrahimli. In both
Appeals of Nurlan Libre and Khayala Agayeva Rejected Read More »
Reports from Russian media reveal unpaid taxes and raise questions about the Aliyev family’s undisclosed riches According to several Russian media outlets, a luxury villa located in the elite “Mayendorf Gardens” (Майендорфские сады) compound near Moscow — registered in the name of Heydar Aliyev Jr., son of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev — has accumulated nearly
After five days of complete silence, imprisoned journalist Ulvi Hasanli made his first phone call to his family today from the Umbaki pre-trial detention facility, where he is currently being held. His wife, Rubaba Guliyeva, shared the update on June 30. She reported that Hasanli had been placed in solitary confinement (the punishment cell) since
Wife of Jailed Journalist Ulvi Hasanli: He Was Tortured for Starting a Hunger Strike Read More »
On June 30, the preliminary hearing in the criminal case against human rights defender Rufat Safarov, executive director of the Defense Line human rights organization, was held at the Baku Serious Crimes Court under Judge Aygun Qurbanova. During the hearing, Safarov’s lawyer Elchin Sadiqov submitted a motion requesting that his client be allowed to sit
Trial of Human Rights Defender Rufat Safarov Begins in Baku Read More »
Defendants say they are being criminalized for civic engagement, not crimes The latest hearing in the high-profile “Toplum TV case” was held at the Baku Serious Crimes Court, presided over by Judge Elnur Nuriyev. During the trial, defendant and journalist Farid Ismayilov filed a motion for the judge’s recusal, citing his past rulings in politically
Azerbaijan’s Tax Authority Demands AZN 79,000 from “Toplum TV” Defendants Read More »
Next hearing scheduled for July 7 On June 30, the Baku Serious Crimes Court held another hearing in the case of Anar Mammadli, head of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center (EMDS), and civic activist Anar Abdullayev. Presided over by Judge Aygun Qurbanova, the court denied a motion to release Anar Mammadli under house
Court Rejects Key Motions in Case Against Anar Mammadli and Anar Abdullayev Read More »
The Social Union of Legal Education of Sumgait Youth is actively implementing a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening civil society across the regions of Azerbaijan, under a small grant provided by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD). 🔹 A new newspaper to amplify civic voicesPreparations are currently underway for the launch of a weekly
Family reports head injuries and concerns over his wellbeing Haji Valiyev, a former soldier in the Second Karabakh War and head of the now-dissolved “Young Veterans” Public Association, is reported to have been subjected to torture while in detention. According to his family, during a recent phone call, Valiyev stated that he had suffered an
Allegations of Torture Against Veteran and Activist Haji Valiyev in Custody Read More »
Another member of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP) has reportedly been detained, raising concerns about the ongoing crackdown on political dissent in the country. According to a statement from the AXCP, youth activist Aqshin Abdullayev (also known as Aqshin Oghuz), a member of the party’s Youth Committee, was sentenced to 30 days of
AXCP Member Detained, Party Says Arrest Is Politically Motivated Read More »
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