Statement of the National Council on the Detention of Popular Front Party Member Bahruz Hasanli in Ukraine

The National Council of Democratic Forces is deeply concerned by the detention of Bahruz Hasanli, who has been living in political exile in Ukraine, and strongly condemns this incident.

Bahruz Hasanli, who has lived in Ukraine for many years and previously served on a voluntary basis as the security guard of the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), Ali Karimli, was detained in the city of Kharkiv at the request of the Azerbaijani authorities. This development gives rise to serious concern.

As is well known, politically motivated criminal prosecutions, as well as the unlawful imprisonment of opposition activists, journalists, and representatives of civil society, have become commonplace in Azerbaijan in recent years. The criminal proceedings currently being pursued against Ali Karimli and those associated with him have also been regarded by international human rights organizations as politically motivated.

Bahruz Hasanli has lived in Ukraine for many years. Even after Russia’s full-scale invasion, he chose to remain in the country, publicly supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and actively contributed to raising awareness within Azerbaijani society about Ukraine’s legitimate struggle. Extraditing such an individual to Azerbaijan on the basis of politically motivated charges would pose a serious threat to his liberty, security, and fundamental human rights.

The National Council of Democratic Forces believes that extradition decisions based on politically motivated prosecutions, in violation of the fundamental principles of international law and human rights, are unacceptable. The European Convention on Human Rights, the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and other international legal instruments prohibit the return of individuals to countries where they face a real risk of political persecution.

We call upon the Ukrainian authorities, particularly President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as Ukraine’s law enforcement agencies and judiciary, to ensure an objective and impartial review of Bahruz Hasanli’s case, fully protect his rights, prevent any politically motivated extradition, and refuse to facilitate politically driven requests by the Azerbaijani authorities.

We also call upon the European Union, the Council of Europe, the relevant bodies of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), international human rights organizations, and diplomatic missions in Ukraine to closely monitor this case and take the necessary measures to protect Bahruz Hasanli’s rights.

The National Council of Democratic Forces believes that no democratic state should become an instrument for the politically motivated persecution of individuals who are fighting for democracy.

The National Council firmly believes that the unlawful extradition of Bahruz Hasanli must not be allowed.