Azerbaijan ramps up pressure against ‘political prisoners’
Since February, Azerbaijan has intensified its actions against imprisoned civil society members, journalists, politicians, and scholars. This escalating pressure has sparked considerable speculation among activists abroad regarding the reasons behind it. Initial reports in late February detailed brutal behavior and psychological abuse within the Baku Pretrial Detention Centre, experienced by imprisoned Meydan TV journalists Aytaj Ahmadova, Aysel Umudova, and Khayala Aghayeva.
These journalists subsequently refused family visits through a newly constructed glass partition, perceiving it as a form of coercion. Furthermore, detained Meydan TV journalists reported mistreatment, while opposition member Zamin Salayev was placed in solitary confinement, reportedly ordered from outside the facility. In early March, two members of the Muslim Unity Movement, Samir Babayev and Alikram Namazov, were arrested, with Babayev alleging torture during his arrest and transfer.
Peace activist Bahruz Samadov, an OC Media contributor, recently appealed for improved conditions, citing psychological abuse and isolation. Samadov’s access to supplies is limited to a monthly allowance of approximately $118 from his grandmother’s pension. On 30 March, Farida Baydamirli, Nazim Baydamirli’s wife, appealed to President Ilham Aliyev for house arrest, as his health has deteriorated in prison.
Baydamirli’s husband, originally sentenced to eight years for extortion in July 2023, denies the accusations. Human rights activist Giyas Ibrahim suggests this increased pressure may precede the release of ‘political prisoners,’ referencing the release of Mehman Huseynov in 2019 following a hunger strike. Ibrahim speculates a potential link to the possible release of Armenian prisoners within Azerbaijan, alongside a strategy to silence critics of Aliyev’s human rights record.
Despite these concerns, some, like human rights activist Hilal Mammadov, believe no releases will occur. Azerbaijan continues to exert significant pressure on individuals deemed ‘political prisoners,’ raising serious questions about human rights and freedoms within the country.
Topics: #azerbaijan #pressure #ramps
Azerbaijan is increasing its actions targeting individuals labeled as “political prisoners.”