Defense Committee Urges US Vice President to Address Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan

Source: Meydan TV | May 2026

The Political Prisoners Defense Committee (SMMK) has appealed to US Vice President James David Vance, urging him to raise the issue of political prisoners during his upcoming visit to Azerbaijan. The committee warns that the political prisoner problem poses a risk to US-Azerbaijan relations.

In its appeal, the SMMK highlighted conditions at Prison No. 2, where recognized political prisoners including Mehman Aliyev, Lachin Valiyev, Hafiz Babali, Fazil Gasimov, and Samir Ashurov are being held. The committee noted that these individuals were imprisoned for their political views and civic activism.

The appeal comes amid growing international attention to Azerbaijan’s human rights record. The committee referenced US successes in securing the release of political prisoners in Belarus and Venezuela, expressing hope that similar diplomatic efforts could be applied to Azerbaijan.

The SMMK called on Vice President Vance to demand the unconditional release of all political prisoners and to make this issue a central topic in his discussions with Azerbaijani officials.