Azerbaijani Opposition Activist Sahib Mammadli Placed in Solitary Confinement, Starts Hunger Strike

Sahib Mammadli, head of the Dashkasan branch of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), has reportedly been placed in a disciplinary cell at Prison No. 10 and has begun a hunger strike in protest.

According to his relatives, Mammadli has been on hunger strike for four days. He was allegedly punished after appearing at the prisoners’ daily lineup without socks.

There has been no official comment from Prison No. 10 or Azerbaijan’s Penitentiary Service. The service usually states that all prisoners in its facilities are treated in accordance with the law.

Mammadli was detained on March 18, 2024, while transporting livestock to a summer pasture together with his sister. Authorities claimed that 23 grams of narcotics were found on him and charged him under Article 234.4.3 of the Criminal Code.

The opposition activist has rejected the accusation, describing the case against him in court as a “show.” On December 10, 2024, the Ganja Court for Grave Crimes sentenced him to six years and six months in prison. In March 2025, an appeals court reduced the sentence to three years and six months.

In recent years, many members of the APFP have faced administrative and criminal prosecution. Around 20 party activists, including APFP chairman Ali Karimli, are currently imprisoned. The party says the arrests are politically motivated.

According to human rights defenders, there are currently 328 political prisoners in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani authorities deny holding anyone for political reasons and insist that those imprisoned have been prosecuted for specific criminal offenses.