Anti-war Activist Complains About Detention Conditions

Bahruz Samadov

Bahruz Samadov, a PhD student at Charles University in the Czech Republic and an anti-war activist convicted of treason in Azerbaijan, complained about the conditions of his confinement in a correctional facility.

Samadov is being held in a closed cell at Correctional Facility No. 11, his grandmother, Zibeyda Osmanova, reported.

"Bahruz called me and informed me that he was placed in a closed cell in the colony and would be there for 1.5 months. Although, according to their rules, he should be held in such a place for no more than two weeks," Osmanova said.

According to her, after 1.5 months, Samadov will be sent back to the Umbakı Penitentiary Complex, where he will again be kept in cell conditions.

Samadov is in despair and intends to commit suicide, his grandmother said.

She noted that Samadov's lawyer, Zibeyda Sadigova, will meet with him in the coming days and appeal to the ombudsman.

29-year-old Bahruz Samadov was detained in Azerbaijan on August 21, 2024, and arrested on charges of treason. According to the investigation, he wrote and translated articles on the order of Armenian representatives. The charge is based on Bahruz Samadov's correspondence with three women from Armenia. Samadov himself categorically rejected the treason charge. Samadov is known for his criticism of the Azerbaijani authorities, which he expressed in foreign publications. The defense believes that his "anti-war views" were the reason for his arrest.

On June 23, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes sentenced him to 15 years in prison.