Azerbaijan’s War on Free Press: Political Prisoner Count on the Rise
A new report by Azerbaijan’s Union for the Freedom of Political Prisoners has revealed yet another rise in political detentions, showing an ongoing crackdown on press freedom and civil society. As of December 12, 2024, the country has recorded 357 political prisoners, a sharp increase from the 331 reported earlier in the year. These individuals, arrested primarily for their political views and professional activities, are classified into multiple groups, including journalists, human rights defenders, and opposition party members (they do not include the Armenian POWs that Azerbaijan already holds).
Azerbaijan has intensified its repression of independent media and civil society since November 2023. More than 100 journalists, human rights activists, and political opponents have been detained on various charges that international organizations have condemned as politically motivated. Groups such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the U.S. State Department have called on Azerbaijani authorities to release those unjustly detained and drop the charges against them.
The government, under President Ilham Aliyev, has also implemented legal changes that have increased restrictions on the press. Amendments to the laws on “Mass Media and Telecommunications” and “Information and Protection of Information” have resulted in heavy censorship. Several independent news outlets, including Azadliq Radiosu, Meydan TV, and Abzas Media, have been blocked, making it difficult for journalists to report freely. The adoption of the “Media Law” on February 8, 2022, further restricted access to information and heightened state control over journalism.
Ahead of the COP29 climate conference in Baku, concerns about Azerbaijan’s deteriorating press freedom have gained global attention. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in New York has strongly condemned the government’s decision to extend the pre-trial detention of 11 journalists, preventing them from covering key issues such as corruption and human rights abuses. “The continued incarceration of Azerbaijan’s last remaining critical journalists ensures that the country’s boldest reporters will not be able to shine a light on corruption and rights abuses during COP29,” said Gulnoza Said, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia program coordinator.
Among the detained journalists are Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinc Vagifkizi, Elnara Gasimova, and Nargiz Absalamova, who have been charged under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code Article 206.3.2, which accuses them of smuggling funds from foreign donors. However, the journalists argue that these charges are a pretext to silence investigative reporting, particularly on government corruption.
One of the most high-profile cases is that of Elnara Gasimova, a journalist who has worked with opposition media outlets such as Meydan TV, Mikroskop Media, and Voice of America. Gasimova has faced ongoing threats and police violence throughout her career. In August 2021, she was detained while covering a feminist protest outside the Khazar District Police Department.
Gasimova, who remains in Baku Detention Center, has spoken out about the inhumane treatment of prisoners, particularly women. In an open letter, she described the dire conditions, stating that detainees face physical and psychological abuse, poor living conditions, and a lack of legal protection. “The detention center is a reflection of Azerbaijan’s governance—just as citizens' rights are violated outside, prisoners' rights are trampled upon inside,” she wrote.
She further detailed the mistreatment of female prisoners, stating that they are frequently subjected to verbal abuse, psychological pressure, and in some cases, physical violence. Basic rights such as access to phone calls and legal resources are restricted, and detainees are not informed of their internal rights. Gasimova also noted that female prisoners are denied essential items and that detention center staff use intimidation tactics, including excessive use of handcuffs and batons.
Despite calls from international organizations and foreign governments to end political persecution, President Aliyev’s administration continues to deny any wrongdoing. The government insists that media freedom is upheld and that the arrests of journalists are carried out according to the law. However, critics argue that the growing number of political prisoners tells a different story.
Azerbaijan’s repression of independent media and civil society has become a defining issue for the country’s international reputation. While the Azerbaijani government aims to present itself as a progressive, modern state, the reality of its treatment of journalists and political activists suggests otherwise.
Gasimova and her fellow prisoners symbolize a broader struggle for democracy and human rights in Azerbaijan. Their continued imprisonment raises serious concerns about the country’s commitment to freedom of speech and the rule of law. Whether international pressure will bring about change remains to be seen, but for now, Azerbaijan’s crackdown on independent voices shows no sign of slowing down.
