Azerbaijan-Georgia 08.04.2026 Azerbaijani journalist deported from Georgia ahead of Ilham Aliyev’s visit JAMnews Baku Share Share Deportation of an Azerbaijani journalist from Georgia On the eve of Ilham Aliyev ’s official visit to Georgia , Afghan Sadygov, an Azerbaijani opposition journalist living in Tbilisi, was deported to Azerbaijan . Sadygov is the founder of Azel TV. Many Azerbaijani observers link the move to the visit, suggesting it was intended to prevent possible protests against Ilham Aliyev.
Georgia’s Interior Ministry said the deportation was related to an administrative offence and migration procedures. ‘Inhumane treatment of Azerbaijani journalist in Tbilisi prison,’ says Afghan Sadigov’s wife Georgian Centre for Social Justice also calls for medical care, proper nutrition, and milder detention conditions for Afghan Sadigov Timeline of events On the night of 4 April, Sadygov was detained at his home in Tbilisi. Georgia’s Interior Ministry said he had insulted a police officer on social media.
His wife, Sevinj Sadygova, said police used emergency services to gain access to the apartment. She also claimed that CCTV footage of the detention was deleted. In the early hours of 5 April, an extraordinary hearing was held at Tbilisi City Court.
The court imposed a fine of 2,000 lari and ordered his deportation, along with a three-year ban on re-entering Georgia. Later, the Interior Ministry said the court had taken into account that Sadygov had been held administratively liable 62 times. The decision was enforced promptly, and Sadygov was sent to Azerbaijan.
His lawyer, Nemat Kerimli, said he was questioned by the State Migration Service. According to the lawyer, Sadygov was released later the same day. On 6 April, he was taken to a police station in Baku but was released again after about 40 minutes.
‘All within law’: How president of Azerbaijan destroyed or subjugated media Azerbaijani journalists are either in exile, in prison, or placed under house arrest. Agenda of Aliyev’s visit to Georgia Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva paid a state visit to Tbilisi on 6 April. They were welcomed at the airport by Georgia’s Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili and other officials.
The official programme included wreath-laying ceremonies at the Memorial of Heroes and a visit to the monument to Heydar Aliyev. The visit was scheduled as a one-day trip, with two key political meetings. Aliyev met Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, followed by talks with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
In a press statement, Kobakhidze described Azerbaijan and Georgia as reliable partners in energy and transport projects. He highlighted the growing importance of the Middle Corridor and said upgrading logistics infrastructure was a priority. The prime minister also positively assessed the peace process between Baku and Yerevan, adding that Georgia was ready to support dialogue.
Aliyev said regional security had been a central topic of discussion. He noted that a new reality had emerged in the South Caucasus and stressed that the region should become a space for peace and cooperation. In his remarks, Aliyev also highlighted economic indicators.
He said bilateral trade had exceeded $800m last year and could approach $1bn by the end of this year. He added that Azerbaijan had invested $3.7bn in Georgia’s economy. Aliyev described the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Southern Gas Corridor as joint strategic projects, noting that gas is exported to 16 countries, with the route beginning in Georgia.
One of the final events of the visit was a meeting with Bidzina Ivanishvili, who hosted Aliyev at a lunch in Tbilisi. Senior government officials also attended. According to available information, the sides discussed the region’s transit potential, as well as the impact of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway on regional connectivity.
‘Inhumane treatment of Azerbaijani journalist in Tbilisi prison,’ says Afghan Sadigov’s wife Georgian Centre for Social Justice also calls for medical care, proper nutrition, and milder detention conditions for Afghan Sadigov Positions of the parties on the deportation of Afghan Sadygov State-aligned Azerbaijani media and official news coverage largely framed the incident as a legal procedure, relying on statements by Georgia’s Interior Ministry. Reports cited allegations of insulting a police officer as the main reason for the deportation. In Georgia, the reaction was more critical.
Local human rights groups described the deportation as unlawful, warning that Sadygov could face serious risks in Azerbaijan. Some have interpreted the move as a political gesture ahead of Aliyev’s visit. In Azerbaijani opposition circles, the response was also sharp.
In comments to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, human rights activist Zafar Ahmadov said Georgia had cooperated with the Azerbaijani authorities on the matter. He described the deportation as the result of an agreement between Baku and Tbilisi. Ilham Aliyev’s victory formula: fragmented opposition, destroyed media, grateful people Analysis of the pre-election situation in Azerbaijan over the past 20 years, or how Ilham Aliyev wins the presidential elections Analytical perspective Sadygov’s detention came a day before Aliyev’s visit.
The court decision was issued overnight and enforced swiftly, adding to speculation about possible political motives. One of the most sensitive aspects is the role of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In Sadygov’s case, the court had previously applied an interim measure, temporarily prohibiting Georgia from transferring him to Azerbaijan.
However, the deportation ultimately led to the outcome the measure was intended to prevent. Reports say that shortly before the deportation, a case against Sadygov in Azerbaijan had been formally closed. Lawyers describe this as a largely procedural legal manoeuvre.
Another factor is Sadygov’s participation in protests in Tbilisi, which may have increased
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