Two Human Rights Defenders Detained Amidst Renewed NGO Investigation in Azerbaijan

Bashir Suleymanli, head of the "Citizen Rights" Institute, and Mammad Alpay (Mammadzade), coordinator of the "Election Monitoring Alliance," were detained and subsequently sentenced to 3 months and 28 days of pretrial detention by the Binagadi District Court.

The arrests followed an investigation conducted by the Investigation Department of the General Prosecutor’s Office. Suleymanli and Mammadzade face charges under the Criminal Code, including Article 313 (falsification by an official), Article 193-1.3.2 (legalization of money or other property obtained through criminal means, committed in substantial amounts), and Article 308.2 (abuse of official powers leading to severe consequences or aimed at influencing election (referendum) results).

Prior to their detention, on the same day, March 14, 2025, Hafiz Hasanov, head of the "Law and Development" Public Union, and Khalid Agaliyev, head of the "Media Rights" Group, were also detained by officers of the Prosecutor General's Office. However, later in the evening, Hasanov and Agaliyev were released.

The detentions are linked to a criminal case initiated by the Prosecutor General's Office in 2014 concerning local and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs). While this case was reportedly closed in 2020, it has been reopened.

Mammad Alpay has been actively involved in election monitoring, promoting democratic participation, and advancing civil society since 2010. He has participated in election observation missions both in Azerbaijan and internationally, serving as an observer in countries such as Norway, Ukraine, Georgia, Slovakia, Montenegro, and Hungary.

Bashir Suleymanli was previously sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison in May 2014 under Articles 192.2.2 (illegal entrepreneurship with substantial profit) and 213.1 (large-scale tax evasion). He was released in March 2015 under a presidential pardon.

These arrests have raised concerns among human rights organizations, as both Mammadzade and Suleymanli are known for their advocacy in promoting civil rights and transparent elections.

Since November 2023, Azerbaijan has experienced a resurgence of mass repression against media and civil society. According to human rights defenders, there are currently more than 350 political prisoners in the country. Independent journalists, human rights activists, and opposition members have been subjected to investigations and various criminal charges. Detainees claim that their arrests are politically motivated and the charges against them are fabricated.