Arrested Azerbaijani Researcher Ilkin Amrahov Marks 24th Birthday in Detention

Ilkin Amrahov

Ilkin Amrahov, an employee of the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI) and one of the accused in the high-profile "Toplum TV case," celebrated his 24th birthday on December 4th while in prison.

Amrahov was detained on March 6, 2024, during an operation conducted against the independent media platform Toplum TV. He is one of ten people who have been charged with criminal offenses in this case. Initially accused of smuggling (currency contraband), the charges against the group have since been aggravated. All defendants reject the accusations, stating that their detention is politically motivated.

Professional and Academic Experience

A young researcher in the field of international relations, Amrahov is a graduate of the International Relations Faculty of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Azerbaijan. Prior to his arrest, he was actively working at the Institute for Democratic Initiatives, having completed the Young Project Managers program and subsequently working as a group coordinator for the second phase of the program.

Court Testimony and Denial of Accusations

During one of the court sessions, Amrahov gave a vivid description of the police actions, sharply criticizing the immediate search and seizure operations:

"Police broke into the office and immediately cut the internet. They forcibly took phones from everyone. They initiated an urgent operational search without presenting a court order or giving any explanation, despite the fact that there was no human body in the office, no crime against an individual or state authority was being prepared, and no real danger to human life or health existed."

Amrahov also publicly refuted the main claim of the investigation regarding his alleged participation in organized currency smuggling from abroad together with other accused persons. He challenged the investigation's assertions that the group made "visits to foreign countries under various names during 2023–2024" to smuggle goods:

"The investigation allegedly established that we... traveled to foreign countries... and smuggled goods into the country from abroad. The Khatai District Court sanctioned my detention for a total of 13 months based on this submission. However, if the court, being an institution of the state, were independent, a simple investigation would show that I have not traveled abroad at all. I don't even have a foreign passport. The illegal nature of the sanction trials continues today in the same form as before."