Day: February 20, 2026
Open letter from Azerbaijani political prisoners to the Trump Administration and members of the U.S. Congress:
We, the political prisoners in Azerbaijan, are addressing you to draw your attention to the dire human rights situation in our country.
In recent years, in Azerbaijan, the most authoritarian country in the South Caucasus, human rights have been completely violated, as all independent media and civil society activists, political activists, critical academics, and opposition political leaders have been arrested on unfounded charges. Freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly are entirely restricted in the country.
Since decisions are made based on political orders, the basic rights of prisoners are not guaranteed in local courts, and the rulings of international courts are not enforced. In addition, the Azerbaijani authorities ignore international appeals, fail to fulfill their obligations regarding human rights, and, on the contrary, are tightening their repressive policies every day. Individuals who defend the rights of political prisoners within the country face pressure. This, in turn, leads to new arrests or forces activists to leave the country.
One of the fundamental principles of the United States’ founding philosophy and a priority of its foreign policy is to defend human freedoms and democratic values around the world. Therefore, by referring to the United States’ experience with political prisoners in Belarus and Venezuela, we urge you to pay attention to the human rights situation in Azerbaijan and to take concrete steps!
Shamshad Agha – journalist
Aynur Elgunesh – journalist
Natig Javadli – journalist
Aysel Umudova – journalist
Aytaj Tapdig – journalist
Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade) – journalist
Khayala Aghayeva – journalist
Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) – journalist
Bahruz Samadov – academic
Tofig Yagublu – politician
Imran Aliyev – journalist
Fatima Movlamli – journalist
Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) – journalist
Niyameddin Ahmadov – member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, political activist
Ahmad Mukhtarov – journalist
Mammad Mammadzade – civil society activist
Afiyaddin Mammadov – labor rights activist
Rufat Safarov – human rights defender
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Armenia’s Foreign Intelligence Service stated that allegations claiming detained peace activist and academic researcher Bahruz Samadov cooperated with Armenia’s special services are false and have no basis in fact.
The official statement was released on February 6 in response to a query from Armenian journalist Zhirayr Voskanyan. In his inquiry, Voskanyan asked for confirmation of claims that, according to the indictment, Samadov, who was convicted of treason, had supposedly been recruited by three Armenian women allegedly connected to Armenian intelligence.
The Service affirmed that it has never interacted with the individuals in question. This statement is considered Yerevan’s first official position regarding allegations that Samadov was supposedly working for Armenia.
Bahruz Samadov, a doctoral student at Charles University in the Czech Republic, was detained by officers of the State Security Service on August 21, 2024.
He was charged under Article 274 of the Criminal Code (treason). Bahruz Samadov does not accept the charges and does not consider himself guilty. On June 23, 2025, he was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.
In April of last year, Samadov appealed to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, asking him to publicly declare that Samadov had not cooperated with Armenia’s special services.
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