Human Rights

Journalism is not a crime! – New petition started demanding freedom for arrested journalists and blogers in Azerbaijan

admin@caspianwatch.com • July 21, 2026 • 21 min read

An international petition calling for the immediate and unconditional release of 40 imprisoned journalists, bloggers, media workers and persons associated with media activity in Azerbaijan has been published on Change.org. Addressed to the Council of Europe, the United Nations, the European Union, the OSCE and democratic governments, the appeal calls for coordinated legal and diplomatic action, urgent protection and medical care for detainees, stronger international monitoring and concrete follow-up to PACE Resolution 2663 (2026). The full text of the petition is published and can be signed here.

Read more: Journalism is not a crime! – New petition started demanding freedom for arrested journalists and blogers in Azerbaijan

INTERNATIONAL PETITION AND OPEN APPEAL

Urgent international legal and diplomatic action for the immediate and unconditional release of journalists, bloggers and media workers imprisoned in Azerbaijan

Journalism is not a crime. Those who gather, investigate and disseminate information in the public interest must be free.

Main petition textA collective statement of position and appeal grounded in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and international legal standards.
40-person status registerA name-by-name legal and procedural register of the journalists, bloggers, media workers and persons associated with media activity covered by this petition who are currently deprived of their liberty.
Legal mechanismsLegal, diplomatic and monitoring measures requested at the level of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the European Union and the OSCE.
References and evidentiary basisOfficial international instruments, judicial and monitoring mechanisms, and selected sources from international human rights and media freedom organisations.

Date of last factual verification: 19 July 2026

Legal designation: An official petition and open appeal for use by the public, the media, the diplomatic community and international bodies.

METHODOLOGICAL NOTE — This petition’s 40-person register does not replicate the narrower classification of “journalists” used by individual international monitoring bodies. In addition to journalists, the register includes bloggers, media workers and persons associated with journalistic or media activity. There is therefore a methodological difference between the figure of 36 journalists cited in PACE Resolution 2663 (2026), by reference to the Council of Europe Platform for the Safety of Journalists, and this petition’s 40-person advocacy register. In the table, the expressions “unlawful arrest” and “Convention violations”, where no separate judgment of an international court is cited, reflect the legal position of the petition and the legal issues it raises; they are not presented as a final judicial determination in every case.

ADDRESSED TO

Council of Europe institutions and treaty bodies

  • The Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe;
  • The President, Bureau and relevant committees of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe;
  • The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights;
  • The Council of Europe Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists [3];
  • The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

United Nations human rights mechanisms

  • The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights;
  • The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention [7];
  • The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as the relevant special procedures on torture, human rights defenders, the right to health and the independence of judges and lawyers [9].

Decision-making and legislative bodies of the European Union

  • The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European External Action Service;
  • The Council of the European Union, the European Commission and the European Parliament, including its Subcommittee on Human Rights [10].

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

  • The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

Diplomatic and bilateral channels

  • The governments and parliaments of democratic states, and their diplomatic representations and heads of mission in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

CORE DEMAND

We call upon international organisations and democratic states to demand, openly and in a coordinated manner, that the Azerbaijani authorities immediately and unconditionally release the 40 journalists, bloggers, media workers and persons associated with media activity covered by this petition.

It is the legal position of this petition that the deprivation of liberty or criminal prosecution of the named persons is connected with their lawful journalistic activities, their investigation and dissemination of information of public interest, the expression of critical views and the exercise of freedom of expression, thereby raising serious legal questions under Articles 5, 6 and 10—and, in specific cases, Article 18—of the European Convention on Human Rights, as well as Articles 9 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [5][8].

In respect of those convicted, we demand the quashing of judgments considered unlawful or politically motivated, the removal of the legal consequences of conviction and the restoration of their rights. In respect of those held in pre-trial detention or subject to ongoing judicial proceedings, we demand the immediate lifting of detention measures and the discontinuance of criminal prosecutions considered politically motivated.

LIMITED EFFECTIVENESS OF DOMESTIC REMEDIES AND THE NEED FOR URGENT INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION

Since the final quarter of 2023, pressure on independent media, journalists, media workers and critical voices in Azerbaijan has escalated sharply. International human rights and media freedom organisations have characterised the cases involving Abzas Media, Toplum TV and Meydan TV, as well as the criminal prosecution of individual journalists and bloggers, as serious interference with freedom of expression and media freedom [11][17][18].

In the Abzas Media case, six journalists and media workers, together with RFE/RL journalist Farid Mehralizada, were sentenced to lengthy terms of imprisonment. On 3 April 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed their appeals on points of law and upheld the judgments [12]. The trial in the case involving Toplum TV and the Institute for Democratic Initiatives is ongoing, and in June 2026 the prosecution sought lengthy terms of imprisonment for the defendants [13]. The cases of 12 persons associated with Meydan TV are before the courts [14][32].

The accused persons, their lawyers and international organisations state that, in a number of cases, the financial, economic and other criminal charges brought are connected with journalism, media activity and public criticism of the Government. The Azerbaijani authorities deny the existence of politically motivated arrests.

Against the background of these conflicting positions, the presumption of innocence, the reasonable-suspicion standard, the independence of the judiciary and the question of an ulterior purpose under Article 18 of the ECHR require an independent and impartial legal assessment [5].

PACE Resolution 2663 (2026), “Silencing critical voices in Azerbaijan”, adopted on 24 June 2026, expresses concern about the systematic silencing of critical voices in the country, severe restrictions on media freedom and persistent problems concerning the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. At the time of its adoption, the Resolution noted that the Council of Europe Platform for the Safety of Journalists had recorded 36 journalists in detention [1][2].

In paragraph 20, its final paragraph, the Assembly resolves to “remain seized of the issue of protecting human rights defenders and independent journalists in Azerbaijan”. In keeping with the logic of that institutional decision, this petition calls upon PACE and other international actors to keep the matter actively on their agendas; to take the petition and the signatures collected into account as an expression of public opinion and as supplementary monitoring material; and to strengthen hearing and accountability mechanisms [1].

This appeal is not directed against the people of Azerbaijan, state sovereignty or the country’s legitimate economic interests. Its purpose is to defend freedom of expression, human dignity, the rule of law and the international legal obligations undertaken by Azerbaijan. In a number of cases, delays in domestic remedies, their ineffectiveness, or serious questions about their independence make urgent international intervention a necessary supplementary protection mechanism.

DOCUMENTED URGENT CONCERNS AND SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS

  • The case of Alasgar Mammadli: Credible information indicates that he has serious health problems, including swelling of the thyroid gland and difficulty breathing, and that his access to essential specialist medical care in detention is limited. These circumstances engage the obligation to provide an urgent medical assessment and adequate treatment under Article 3 of the ECHR [18].
  • The cases of Ulviyya Ali, Ahmad Mammadli and Imran Aliyev: Allegations of physical violence and ill-treatment during arrest and questioning have been reported. These allegations require an effective, independent and transparent investigation; both the negative and procedural obligations of the State under Article 3 of the ECHR may be engaged [11][15][16][31].
  • The case of Farid Ismayilov: According to medical information provided by his family, he has been diagnosed with pneumothorax, cardiopulmonary failure and severe respiratory problems and has undergone several surgical procedures. This information requires urgent verification by an independent medical examination, the provision of necessary inpatient treatment and an assessment of whether his state of health is compatible with detention.
  • Treatment of women journalists in detention: PACE Resolution 2663 (2026) states that the Assembly is appalled by recent reports of sexual violence, threats of rape and sexual harassment against nine detained women journalists. These allegations require an urgent independent investigation under Article 3 of the ECHR and, if a discriminatory element is established, Article 14 [1].
  • Procedural and individual rights: Allegations of unlawful or disproportionate interference with confidential communication with counsel, family contact, correspondence, medical care and the ability to mount an effective defence raise serious legal concerns under Articles 6 and 8 of the ECHR, as well as the Nelson Mandela Rules [5][8].

LEGAL STATUS REGISTER OF 40 IMPRISONED JOURNALISTS, BLOGGERS AND MEDIA WORKERS

The register is presented in two categories according to the individuals’ current procedural status. The columns “Date of unlawful arrest” and “Principal Convention violations” reflect the legal position of the petition. Unless a specific ECtHR judgment is cited separately, those formulations do not constitute a final judgment of an international court; they identify the legal allegations and Convention issues raised by the respective case.

CATEGORY A — Persons convicted and serving custodial sentences

Name and media/activity statusDate of unlawful arrestCurrent/final legal statusPrincipal Convention violations
1. Ulvi Hasanli — Abzas Media20.11.20239 years’ imprisonment. On 03.04.2026, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal on points of law and upheld the judgment. [12]Articles 5, 10 and 18
2. Sevinj Vagifgizi — Abzas Media21.11.20239 years’ imprisonment. On 03.04.2026, the Supreme Court upheld the judgment. [12]Articles 5, 10 and 18
3. Mahammad Kekalov — Abzas Media20.11.20237 years and 6 months’ imprisonment. On 03.04.2026, the Supreme Court upheld the judgment. [12]Articles 5 and 10; Article 18, depending on the circumstances of the individual case
4. Nargiz Absalamova — Abzas Media30.11.20238 years’ imprisonment. On 03.04.2026, the Supreme Court upheld the judgment. [12]Articles 5, 10 and 18; Article 14 in relation to allegations of gender-based treatment
5. Elnara Gasimova — Abzas Media13.01.20248 years’ imprisonment. On 03.04.2026, the Supreme Court upheld the judgment. [12]Articles 5, 10 and 18; Article 3 in relation to allegations of ill-treatment
6. Hafiz Babali — Investigative journalist/Turan13.12.20239 years’ imprisonment. On 03.04.2026, the Supreme Court upheld the judgment. [12]Articles 5 and 10; Article 18, depending on the circumstances of the individual case
7. Farid Mehralizada — RFE/RL/Radio Azadliq30.05.20249 years’ imprisonment. On 03.04.2026, the Supreme Court upheld the judgment. [12]Articles 5 and 10; Article 18, depending on the circumstances of the individual case
8. Ahmad Mammadli — Yoldash Media/journalist06.05.2025Sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment on 16.03.2026; an appeal against the judgment is planned. [15]Articles 3, 5, 6 and 10
9. Polad Aslanov — Xeberman/Press-az12.06.2019Serving a 13-year prison sentence; the original 16-year sentence was reduced to 13 years on appeal. [23]Articles 5 and 10; separate issues concerning the lawfulness of detention in ECtHR proceedings
10. Osman Narimanoglu (Rzayev) — Demokratik.az05.07.20226 years and 6 months’ imprisonment. On 06.11.2024, the Supreme Court upheld the judgment. [21]Articles 5, 6 and 10
11. Rashad Ramazanov — Blogger/online commentator20.05.2022Serving a sentence of 5 years and 4 months’ imprisonment. [24]Articles 3, 5 and 10
12. Teymur Karimov — Kanal 1111.12.2023The original 8-year sentence was reduced to 7 years on appeal on 15.05.2025; he is serving the prison sentence. [25]Articles 3, 5, 6 and 10
13. Jamil Mammadli — Journalist and blogger24.08.2023Sentenced to 6 years and 12 days’ imprisonment on 17.04.2024; the appellate court upheld the judgment. [20][26]Articles 5, 6 and 10
14. Ibrahim Humbatov (Gubadoglu) — Azerinfo.az11.12.2023Sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment on 08.05.2025; an appeal on points of law was filed in 2026. [27]Articles 5, 6 and 10
15. Arshad Ibrahimov — Dunyaninsesi.az11.12.2023Sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment on 24.01.2025; he denies the charges. [22]Articles 5, 6 and 10
16. Arzu Sayadoglu — Blogger/former media worker28.01.2024Sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment on 03.03.2025. [28]Articles 5, 6 and 10
17. Bakhtiyar Hajiyev — Blogger/civil-society activist09.12.2022Sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment on 13.01.2025; he is serving the sentence. [11][20]Articles 5, 6 and 10; Article 18, depending on the specific circumstances

CATEGORY B — Persons held in pre-trial detention or whose trials are ongoing

Name and media/activity statusDate of unlawful arrestCurrent/final legal statusPrincipal Convention violations
18. Alasgar Mammadli — Founder of Toplum TV/media expert08.03.2024The trial in the Toplum TV case is ongoing; he remains detained. In June 2026, the prosecution sought a lengthy term of imprisonment. [13][18]Articles 3, 5, 6 and 10
19. Mushfig Jabbar — Toplum TV06.03.2024The trial in the Toplum TV case is ongoing; he remains detained. [13][18]Articles 5, 6 and 10
20. Ramil Babayev — IDI06.03.2024The trial in the Toplum TV/IDI case is ongoing; he remains detained. [13][18]Articles 5, 6 and 10
21. Ilkin Amrahov — IDI06.03.2024The trial in the Toplum TV/IDI case is ongoing; he remains detained. [13][18]Articles 5, 6 and 10
22. Ali Zeynal — IDI08.03.2024The trial in the Toplum TV/IDI case is ongoing; he remains detained. [13][18]Articles 5, 6 and 10
23. Farid Ismayilov — Toplum TV17.01.2025; initial detention: 06.03.2024After initially being detained in March 2024, he remained at liberty; he was rearrested on 17.01.2025. The trial in the Toplum TV case is ongoing. [13][20]Articles 3, 5, 6 and 10
24. Aynur Elgunash (Ganbarova) — Meydan TV06.12.2024She remains detained in the Meydan TV case, and the trial is ongoing. [14][32]Articles 5, 6 and 10
25. Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig) — Meydan TV06.12.2024She remains detained in the Meydan TV case, and the trial is ongoing. [14][32]Articles 5, 6 and 10
26. Khayala Aghayeva — Meydan TV06.12.2024She remains detained in the Meydan TV case, and the trial is ongoing. [14][32]Articles 5, 6 and 10; Article 14 in relation to allegations of gender-based treatment
27. Aysel Umudova — Meydan TV06.12.2024She remains detained in the Meydan TV case, and the trial is ongoing. [14][32]Articles 5, 6 and 10; Article 14 in relation to allegations of gender-based treatment
28. Natig Javadli — Meydan TV06.12.2024He remains detained in the Meydan TV case, and the trial is ongoing. [14][32]Articles 5, 6 and 10
29. Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzada) — Meydan TV06.12.2024He remains detained in the Meydan TV case, and the trial is ongoing. [14][32]Articles 5, 6 and 10
30. Shamshad Agha (Aghayev) — Arqument.az/collaboration with Meydan TV05.02.2025He remains detained in the Meydan TV case, and the trial is ongoing. [14][32]Articles 5, 6 and 10
31. Ahmad Mukhtar — Photojournalist27.08.2025He remains detained in the Meydan TV case, and the trial is ongoing. [14]Articles 5, 6 and 10
32. Fatima Movlamli — Freelance journalist28.02.2025She remains detained in connection with the Meydan TV case, and the trial is ongoing. [14][32]Articles 5, 6 and 10; Article 14 in relation to allegations of gender-based treatment
33. Nurlan Gahramanli (Libre) — Independent journalist/media project20.02.2025He remains detained in connection with the Meydan TV case, and the trial is ongoing. [14][32]Articles 5, 6 and 10
34. Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) — Independent journalist07.05.2025She remains detained in connection with the Meydan TV case; she denies the charges and has stated that she had no working relationship with Meydan TV. [16][32]Articles 3, 5, 6 and 10
35. Imran Aliyev — Meclis.info18.04.2024He remains detained; allegations of ill-treatment have been documented by international organisations. [11][17][31]Articles 3, 5, 6 and 10
36. Vugar Mammadov — Hurriyyet Media29.10.2025He is being held in pre-trial detention; the trial began in May 2026. [29]Articles 5, 6 and 10
37. Ulvi Tahirov — Deputy Director of the Baku School of Journalism06.12.2024He remains detained in connection with the Meydan TV case, and the trial is ongoing; Meydan TV has stated that he had no connection with its editorial team. [14][20][32]Articles 5, 6 and 10
38. Anar Abdulla (Abdullayev) — Journalist/civil-society activist04.08.2025He is being held in pre-trial detention in connection with the Anar Mammadli case; he had previously been placed under police supervision. [18][20]Articles 5, 6 and 10
39. Ilhami Nasibov — Kanal21.az17.08.2025He is being held in pre-trial detention; he has been charged with extortion, while he and his supporters link the case to his journalistic and blogging activities. [20]Articles 5, 6 and 10
40. Afgan Sadigov — Founder of Azel.TV08.06.2026; rearrested in AzerbaijanAfter being forcibly returned from Georgia, he was detained again in Baku on 08.06.2026, and a court ordered his pre-trial detention; the case raises concerns of transnational repression. [19]Articles 5, 6 and 10; additional legal issues concerning transnational repression and return

EIGHT SPECIFIC DEMANDS ADDRESSED TO INTERNATIONAL BODIES

We call upon international organisations, human rights mechanisms and democratic states to take the following coordinated legal and diplomatic steps within their respective mandates:

1. Immediate and unconditional release, discontinuance of criminal prosecutions considered politically motivated, and restoration of rights

  • In respect of those convicted: demand their immediate release, the quashing—through lawful procedures—of judgments considered politically motivated or connected with expression or media activity, the removal of the legal consequences of conviction, and the provision of effective remedies [1][2].
  • In respect of those subject to ongoing investigations or judicial proceedings: demand the immediate lifting of pre-trial detention measures, their release, and the discontinuance of criminal prosecutions considered politically motivated and connected with expression or media activity [5][8].

2. Urgent protection, medical care and prevention of ill-treatment

  • Pending their release, demand urgent measures to ensure independent medical examinations, essential specialist treatment, confidential communication with counsel, family contact, correspondence and personal security [5][8].
  • In individual cases involving a real and imminent risk of irreparable harm to life or health, provide legal and technical support to the individuals’ lawyers or representatives in submitting requests for interim measures under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court. Rule 39 is not a general release mechanism and is applied by the ECtHR only in specific circumstances.
  • We ask the CPT to take account of the information submitted; to assess, where necessary, the possibility of an ad hoc visit to Azerbaijan; and to raise with the Azerbaijani authorities the conditions of detention, access to medical care, isolation and allegations of torture.

3. Diplomatic démarches and procedural monitoring

  • Deliver coordinated joint diplomatic démarches to the Government of Azerbaijan; request written explanations concerning the named persons; secure access to court hearings for international observers and diplomatic representatives; and hold regular meetings with human rights defenders, lawyers and families [1][3].

4. Activation of UN mechanisms

  • Ask the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to give priority consideration to appropriate individual submissions, transmit communications to the Government of Azerbaijan and adopt opinions on the compliance of the cases with international law [7].
  • Call upon the special procedures on freedom of opinion and expression, human rights defenders, torture, the right to health and the independence of judges and lawyers to issue joint communications and urgent appeals in appropriate cases [9].

5. Strengthening treaty and supervisory mechanisms within the Council of Europe

  • Support the Secretary General’s exercise of the power under Article 52 of the ECHR to request a formal explanation from the Azerbaijani authorities as to how the effective implementation of the Convention is secured in domestic law [5].
  • Ask the Committee of Ministers to keep the execution of relevant ECtHR judgments concerning Azerbaijan under enhanced supervision, require the implementation of individual and general measures and, where necessary, adopt interim resolutions [4].
  • Note that infringement proceedings under Article 46 § 4 of the ECHR may be considered separately only where the legal conditions concerning a refusal to execute a specific final ECtHR judgment are met, and with the requisite two-thirds majority in the Committee of Ministers [4][5].
  • If systematic and serious violations are not remedied, consider the possibility of a separate institutional assessment under Article 8 of the Statute of the Council of Europe [6].

6. Individual and targeted sanctions mechanisms

  • Where sufficient legal and factual grounds establish direct responsibility for unlawful detention, torture, inhuman treatment and systematic violations of freedom of expression, consider evidence-based targeted measures against the persons responsible, including visa restrictions and asset freezes [10].
  • Reject collective punishment; family members and associated persons should be subject to measures only where there is an individual legal basis linking them to the concealment or management of assets, or to benefiting from violations.

7. Legal conditionality and bilateral relations

  • Link specific benefits of political, energy, security and institutional cooperation with Azerbaijan to the release of journalists and measurable human rights benchmarks. In the negotiations reactivated in 2026 on a new EU–Azerbaijan bilateral agreement and Partnership Priorities, include human rights conditionality as a specific and measurable element [30].
  • Safeguard humanitarian, social and educational programmes, and programmes providing direct support to independent civil society, so that they are not adversely affected by this conditionality.

8. Continuous institutional oversight and follow-up to PACE Resolution 2663 (2026)

  • In accordance with paragraph 20 of the Resolution, keep the protection of human rights defenders and independent journalists in Azerbaijan on the Assembly’s active agenda [1].
  • Take this petition and the signatures collected into account as an expression of public opinion and as supplementary monitoring material; promote a regularly updated, name-by-name monitoring register, trial observation, monitoring of detention conditions and periodic public reporting [1][2][3].

“52 → 46 → 8” — POTENTIAL TOOLS FOR ESCALATING THE INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE WITHIN THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

Legal clarification: Articles 52 and 46 of the ECHR and Article 8 of the Statute of the Council of Europe do not constitute a single legal procedure in which one automatically follows another. They are independent mechanisms with distinct legal bases, competent bodies and procedural conditions. The expression “52 → 46 → 8” is used here solely as an analytical framework to explain potential avenues of political and legal escalation.

  • Article 52 of the ECHR — request for an explanation by the Secretary General: The Secretary General may request a Contracting State to furnish an explanation of the manner in which its internal law ensures the effective implementation of the Convention; the Contracting State must furnish that explanation. This mechanism is not, in itself, a sanction or a judicial decision [5].
  • Article 46 of the ECHR — execution of judgments: The Committee of Ministers supervises the execution of final ECtHR judgments. Enhanced supervision, interim resolutions and infringement proceedings under Article 46 § 4 are distinct tools. Infringement proceedings may be initiated, by a two-thirds majority, in the specific circumstances of a State failing to fulfil its obligation to execute a particular final judgment [4][5].
  • Article 8 of the Statute of the Council of Europe — measures concerning membership and representation: A member State that has seriously violated Article 3 of the Statute may be suspended from its rights of representation and requested to withdraw from the Organisation; if it does not comply with that request, the Committee of Ministers may decide that its membership has ceased. These measures are not automatic and require a separate political and legal decision [6].

FINAL APPEAL

The criminalisation of lawful journalistic and media activity is incompatible with the foundations of a democratic society and with international human rights standards. Investigating matters of public interest, reporting allegations of corruption and abuse, demanding accountability from state institutions and informing the public lie at the heart of the media’s “public watchdog” function and form an integral part of the freedom of expression protected by Article 10 of the ECHR [5].

In the present circumstances, general statements of “concern” alone are insufficient. We demand the coordinated use of legal mandates, diplomatic leverage and monitoring mechanisms; measurable results; and the immediate and unconditional release of the 40 persons covered by this petition [1][2][11].

We, the signatories to this appeal, call upon international organisations, democratic states, parliamentarians and diplomatic representations to take the following steps in accordance with their treaty, statutory and political obligations:

  • Place this petition on their official agendas and include it in their human rights dialogues with Azerbaijan;
  • Request written explanations from the competent authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan concerning the arrest and detention of the named persons, their conditions of detention and compliance with international legal obligations;
  • Ensure regular public reporting and transparency concerning the legal, diplomatic and preventive steps taken;
  • Sign and share the petition, and demand specific action from their national governments, parliaments and international representatives.

SIGN THE PETITION

Sign the petition on Change.org

Please sign and share this petition and call upon your government, parliamentarians and international representatives to demand concrete action for the release of Azerbaijan’s imprisoned journalists, bloggers and media workers.

SELECTED SOURCES AND FACT-CHECKING RECORD

[1] PACE Resolution 2663 (2026) — “Silencing critical voices in Azerbaijan”, 24 June 2026

[2] PACE Report Doc. 16414 (2026) — Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights

[3] Council of Europe Platform for the Safety of Journalists

[4] Council of Europe — Supervision of the execution of ECtHR judgments

[5] European Convention on Human Rights

[6] Statute of the Council of Europe

[7] UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

[8] International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

[9] UN Special Procedures — submission portal

[10] EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime

[11] Human Rights Watch — World Report 2026: Azerbaijan

[12] CPJ — Azerbaijan Supreme Court rejects appeal of seven imprisoned journalists

[13] CPJ — Prosecutors seek up to 16 years in Toplum TV case

[14] Amnesty International — Urgent Action on detained Meydan TV journalists

[15] CPJ — Ahmad Mammadli sentenced to six years

[16] CPJ — Arrests of Ulviyya Ali and Ahmad Mammadli

[17] Justice for Journalists Foundation — Media workers behind bars

[18] Amnesty International — Azerbaijan country report

[19] Human Rights Watch — Azerbaijan rearrests journalist Afgan Sadigov

[20] Institute for Peace and Democracy — List of Political Prisoners

[21] IRFS — Osman Narimanoglu case

[22] Freedom House — Freedom on the Net 2025: Azerbaijan

[23] CPJ — Polad Aslanov profile

[24] PEN America — Rashad Ramazanov profile

[25] Institute for Human Rights — Teymur Karimov case

[26] Voice of America Azerbaijani — Jamil Mammadli case

[27] APA — Ibrahim Humbatov sentenced to six years

[28] RFE/RL Azerbaijani — Arzu Sayadoglu sentenced to seven years

[29] Modern.az — Trial of Vugar Mammadov

[30] EEAS — EU–Azerbaijan 7th Security Dialogue

[31] Amnesty International — Urgent Action concerning arrested journalists

[32] Meydan TV — Ongoing Meydan TV case

FACT-CHECKING NOTE — The information contained in this document was reverified as of 19 July 2026 against open and reliable sources and, where possible, official or internationally authoritative sources. Because detention and procedural statuses may change rapidly, future versions of the document should be updated. Where reports of torture, physical abuse, sexual violence, ill-treatment or denial of adequate medical care have not been confirmed by the findings of an independent court or investigation, they are presented as allegations or reports and require an urgent independent investigation.

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