In a deepening assault on dissent, Azerbaijani authorities have issued arrest warrants in absentia for several prominent exiled bloggers, journalists, and activists, escalating their transnational repression campaign.
On May 31, Baku’s Binagadi District Court, acting on motions from the Prosecutor General’s Office, approved criminal cases against critics of the regime living in Europe.
Who Is Being Targeted:
Tural Sadıqlı (Germany)
Known for his vocal criticism of the Azerbaijani government on social media, he faces charges of fraud (Article 178.3.1), incitement to mass unrest (220.2), and document forgery (320).
Orduxan Temirxan (Netherlands)
A long-time dissident and Netherlands citizen, charged with inciting mass disorder (220.2) and anti-state propaganda (281.2). This is not his first targeting -he was previously subjected to an arrest warrant in 2018.
Elshad Abdullayev (France)
The former rector of Azerbaijan International University, who exposed high-level corruption in Azerbaijan, is now accused of bribery (311.1), tax evasion (213.1), and illegal organ trafficking (130.1).
Ganimat Zahid (France)
Editor of Azadliq newspaper. On social media, he revealed that he and two others – Natiq Ədilov (columnist, Azadliq) and Emin Əhmədbəyov (ex-police officer, co-host of Azerbaijan Saati YouTube channel) -are now also subject to arrest in absentia.
This wave of arrests reflects a growing pattern of extraterritorial pressure on government critics. Human rights defenders warn that Azerbaijan is exporting its authoritarian tactics, attempting to criminalize speech and silence dissent even beyond its borders.
English (UK) 
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