Month: June 2025
63 people detained at Baku protest
Participants of the protest held under the slogan “Justice for Elgun Ibrahimov,” planned outside the “28 May” metro station, were detained and taken to the Nasimi District Police Department. Reports say the number of detainees stands at 63.
Elgun Ibrahimov was a 17-year-old school student who died under mysterious circumstances. He was found in critical condition in an abandoned dormitory in Ganja and later died in hospital. Pro-government media outlets circulated the version that he had taken his own life. However, his family insists he did not commit suicide, but was beaten to death.
An official statement claimed Elgun died from injuries sustained after falling from a height.
A protest under the slogan “Justice for Elgun Ibrahimov” was scheduled for 1 June in the city centre.
“They were forced to hand over passwords, had their social media accounts accessed, and their fingerprints taken.”
“A stranger messaged me from a fake Instagram account: ‘You’re too active and bold in the comments, don’t make problems for yourself’ — it felt like a threat. I think it might have been the police,” said a social media user who asked to remain anonymous in a comment to JAMnews.
She also noted that accounts featuring photos of police officers and the Interior Ministry logo continue to message activists.
In her statement, she reported that people who were simply near the “28 May” metro station and appeared “suspicious” to the police were detained and taken to the Nasimi District Police Department. Among those detained, she said, were minors.
“All those detained had their phones taken — including my friend. Their passwords were confiscated, their social media accounts accessed, and their fingerprints recorded. The authorities are trying to identify anyone who discussed the protest. Many are receiving fake subscription requests. Those who posted videos from the protest site are being placed under administrative arrest.”
Context
For some time now, various claims have been circulating on social media alleging that the Prosecutor’s Office is failing to conduct a serious investigation into the circumstances surrounding Elgun Ibrahimov’s death.
Meanwhile, several activists have been distributing leaflets with information about Elgun’s case — posting them around the city and handing them out in public. For this activity, civil activist Nidjat Amiraslanov was detained and sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest.
Among the theories being circulated is the allegation that Elgun’s death was a murder committed by police officers.
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According to a statement by the Social Justice Center (SJC), the Georgian Dream party uses administrative arrests against activists — including youth and women — as a means of making an example and punishing them publicly.
According to the organization, the initiation of administrative proceedings against activists violates the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and the European Convention on Human Rights.
On 30 May, following a complaint by Georgian Dream MP Mariam Lashkhi, two activists — Lika Lortkipanidze and Tatia Apriamashvili — were sentenced to 12 days of administrative detention. According to the official account, on 17 May 2025, at a café in Tbilisi, they insulted Lashkhi by shouting: “Freedom for the regime’s prisoners, not the Russian regime — down with Russia’s slaves!”
In addition, Tornike Skhvitardze, the brother of prisoner of conscience Saba Skhvitardze, was sentenced to five days of detention for allegedly “insulting” police officer Mirian Kavtaradze.
“The case law of the European Court shows that the scope of permissible criticism is broader when it concerns public figures than private individuals.
Unlike ordinary citizens, a politician deliberately and inevitably places themselves at the centre of public attention, and therefore bears a greater responsibility to show tolerance,” the SJC explains.
An open, unfinished action—where tension, fear, and peace coexist.
Haze as a mystical phenomenon in nature, serving as a transitional boundary between reality and illusion.
Figures—either disguised or silently staring back at whoever looks at them.2/2
— Notes from Georgia/South Caucasus (Hälbig, Ralph) (@SouthCaucasus) June 2, 2025