To conclude our trilogy on "Aliyev's Paranoid Turn," (read Part 1; Part 2; Part 3) which explores the context and contradictions of the current wave of repression in Azerbaijan, we present you our call for action. This call is accompanied by a list of political prisoners, the number of which is reaching 300, the highest point since the early 2000s.
To stress our position, we would like emphasize that, we categorically reject the false dichotomy between Western liberal democracy and Russian authoritarianism. Both narratives—whether it's the claim that "liberal democracy is preferable to authoritarianism" or the assertion that "rotten Western liberalism is destroying our traditional values"—are fundamentally oppressive and deceitful. These are merely two faces of the same coin, each serving to maintain power structures that exploit and oppress.
As Azerbaijanis, we have seen firsthand how the so-called Western commitment to "values" is easily discarded when it comes to making deals with autocrats like Aliyev and Putin. The West's hypocritical legitimization of Aliyev’s regime—through oil and gas trade and now by hosting COP29 in Azerbaijan—reveals the emptiness of their professed value-based approach to international relations. We are not fooled. There are no true values at play here—only interests.
We have lived under Russian colonialism for over 200 years and understand all too well that Russia offers no real alternative. It peddles nothing but misery and despair, continuing a legacy of oppression that has plagued our people for centuries.
Yet, we recognize that the current prospects for political action, free movement, and freedom of speech are still marginally better in liberal democracies than in Russia, Turkey, China, Iran, or any other authoritarian regime. Our choice, then, is trivial: bad —liberal democracy—or worse —Russian authoritarianism. But we refuse to be complicit in either.
We do not call on Western governments to issue empty condemnations or feign concern—they have done enough of that already. Instead, we appeal to the global community of independent activists, scholars, and journalists. It is your solidarity that we need. You have the power to pressure your governments, to refuse complicity, and to stand with us against oppression.
This is not just about one scholar-activist; it is about standing against the systematic persecution of intellectuals, activists, and anyone who dares to challenge authoritarian regimes. This is about refusing to collaborate with a regime that brutalizes its own people, wages wars with neighboring countries, and resolves conflicts through sheer force. This is about refusing to legitimize a dictator by attending a sham event like COP29.
This is time to unmask Aliyev's regime and showing their true face.
This is time to refuse to be silent!
This is time to show solidarity!
The Call to Action:
To Social Movements and Activist Groups:
1. Pressure Your Governments: Organize to demand a boycott of COP29 or to highlight Azerbaijan's repressive actions during the event.
2. Protest: Hold demonstrations in front of Azerbaijani embassies worldwide.
3. Inform and Connect: Host informational events and connect with Azerbaijani activists.
4. Sanctions: Call for sanctions against Aliyev and his enablers.
5. Direct Action: Collaborate with local antifa groups to take direct action.
6. Support: Share resources with those affected by Azerbaijan's repression. Provide tools for organizing and resistance.
7. Solidarity Housing: Offer accommodation and support to those fleeing repression.
To the Media:
1. Platform Azerbaijani Voices: Give Azerbaijani activists a platform to speak about the ongoing repression. Use your privilege to amplify their voices, not just to advance your career.
2. Expose the Regime: Cover the truth about Aliyev’s regime instead of contributing to its whitewashing.
To Scholars:
1. Academic Solidarity: Organize conferences that highlight the persecution of scholars in Azerbaijan and include voices from the region.
2. Support at Risk Scholars: Advocate for supporting Azerbaijani scholars through "Scholars at Risk" programs at your institutions.
3. End Complicity: Push your universities to sever ties with Azerbaijani institutions that are complicit in state propaganda. Raise this issue in student councils and academic committees, demanding accountability and standing firmly for academic freedom.
Now is the time to act. Our solidarity is stronger than their repression!
The list of political prisoners from August 2023 to today
There are currently close to 300 political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Most of them are religious activists. The rest are journalists, scholars, union and political party members, detainees in the Tartar case, human rights defenders and others. We share the mentioned categories with the number of prisoners below with reference to the Turan Information Agency.
1 – "journalists and bloggers" - 20 people;
2 – "human rights defenders" - 3 people;
3 – "members of opposition parties and movements" - 28 people;
4- "political emigrants deported from Germany" - 5 people;
5 - "religious people" - 216 people;
6 – "those convicted in the Tartar case" - 7 people;
7 – "those convicted in the Ganja case" – 13 people;
8 - "life convicts" - 11 people.
You can also see below the list of political prisoners arrested during the last year.
July 2023 - a prominent scholar and economist, Gubad Ibadoghlu, arrested on fabricated charges of the production, acquisition, or sale of counterfeit money by an organized group. Currently, after the international pressure is under the house arrest.
August 2023 - Fazil Gasimov, an economist, scholar, arrested in Turkey and handed to Baku. His arrest is linked to Gubad Ibadoglu's case. He is charged with preparation and sale of counterfeit money or foreign currency by an organized group and religious-extremist activity. He is currently on a hunger strike.
August 2023 - Afiyaddin Mammadov, head of the independent confederation of trade Unions "Working Table" for gig-economy workers arrested and charged with hooliganism committed with the use of weapons and intentional infliction of serious harm to health. His charges are aggravated now and he is facing 11 years in prison.
August 2023 - Aykhan Israfilov, member of independent confederation of trade Unions "Working Table" for gig-economy workers arrested and charged with acquisition, transportation, storage of large quantities of drugs without the purpose of sale. His trial continues.
August 2023 - Elvin Mustafayev, member of independent confederation of trade Unions "Working Table" for gig-economy workers arrested and charged with acquisition, transportation, storage of large quantities of drugs without the purpose of sale. His trial continues.
August 2023 - Azerbaijani government's puppet media attacks antiwar and feminist activists, defaming them by accusing them in treason and destroying traditional values.
November 2023 - Mahammad Kekalov, deputy director of Abzas Media (independent media outlet) is arrested and charged with smuggling money. Recently, on 18 August his charges were aggravated and now he is facing 12 years of imprisonment. He is in pre-trial detention now.
November 2023 - Ulvi Hasanli, director of Abzas Media (independent media outlet) arrested and charged with smuggling money. Recently, on 18 August his charges were aggravated and now he is facing 12 years of imprisonment. He is in pre-trial detention now.
November 2023 - Sevinj Vagifqizi, the editor-in-chief of Abazas Media (independent media outlet) arrested and charged with smuggling money. Recently, on 18 August her charges were aggravated and now she is facing 12 years of imprisonment. She is in pre-trial detention now.
Novemebr 2023 - Aziz Orujov, independent journalist, director of Kanal 13, a popular Youtube channel arrested and charged with illigeal construction. Later, he was also charged with smuggling money.
December 2023 - Shamo Eminov, Kanal 13 journalist arrested on smuggling money charges.
December 2023 - Nargiz Absalamova, Abzas Media journalist arrested and charged with smuggling money. Recently, on 18 August her charges were aggravated and now she is facing 12 years of imprisonment. She is in pre-trial detention now.
December 2023 - Hafiz Babali, Turan Agency (independent media outlet) journalist was arrested and charged with smuggling money. His case was tied to Abzas Media case. Recently, on 18 August his charges were aggravated and now he is facing 12 years of imprisonment. He is in pre-trial detention now.
December 2023 - Tofig Yagublu, politician, member of opposition Musavat Party arrested and charged with forgery and fraud.
December 2023 - Ilhamiz Guliyev, activist, charged with drugs trafficking. Remains in pre-trial detention.
December 2023 - Mohyaddin Orujov, a political activist, was arrested on charges of illegal trafficking of large quantities of drugs. He is currently being held in the pre-trial detention.
January 2024 - Elnara Gasimova, Abzas Media journalist arrested and charged with smuggling money. Recently, on 18 August her charges were aggravated and now she is facing 12 years of imprisonment. She is in pre-trial detention now.
March 2024 - Alasgarli Mammadli, founder of Toplum TV (independent media outlet) and human rights activits arrested and charged with smuggling money. He is facing serious health issues.
March 2024 - Musfiq Jabbarov, journalist of Toplum TV (independent media outlet) arrested and charged with smuggling money.
March 2024 - Ruslan Izzetli, Third Republic Platform (political party), charged with smuggling money. Remains in pre-trial detention.
March 2024 - Akif Gurbanov, Third Republic Platform (political party), charged with smuggling money. Remains in pre-trial detention.
April 2024 - Anar Mammadli, a prominent human rights activist arrested and charged with smuggling money.
May 2024 - Famil Khalilov, readmitted from Sweden, published critical posts on social media, has disability, charged with drugs trafficking. Currently on a hunger strike.
June 2024 - Farid Mehralizada, economist, arrested and charged with smuggling money, linked to Abzas Media case. Recently, on 18 August his charges were aggravated and now he is facing 12 years of imprisonment. He is in pre-trial detention now.
July 2024 - Igbal Abilov, a Talysh (ethnic minority in Azerbaijan and Iran) scholar and activist was arrested and charged with treason.
July 2024 - Emin İbrahimov, a former diplomat and currently government critic, intentional harm to health with the use of weapons. He is currently on a hunger strike. (On March 13, 2020, Emin Ibrahimov submitted his resignation to the Foreign Ministry in protest against the suppression of suffrage and freedoms in the country and retired from diplomatic activity).
August 2024 - Bahruz Samadov, a distinguished scholar and antiwar war activist, arrested and reportedly charged with treason.
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