Azerbaijan's Crackdown Extends Overseas: Critics in Exile Targeted

A recent report and statements from international human rights groups show that the Azerbaijani government has increased its campaign to repress journalists, bloggers, activists, and public figures living outside the country.

The Scope of the Campaign

According to a report by human rights lawyer Samad Rahimli for the End Repression in Azerbaijan Campaign, the government has started criminal cases against 24 critics living abroad this year. These actions, mainly in two waves since March 2025, aim to silence opposition voices who continue their activities in exile.

Those targeted include journalists Sevinc Osmanqızı and Qənimət Zahid, historian Altay Göyüşov, political commentator Ərəstun Oruclu, and bloggers Tural Sadıqlı and Qabil Məmmədov.

How In Absentia Proceedings Work

The campaign depends on criminal procedures done in the absence of the accused (qiyabi), made possible by changes to the Criminal Procedure Code in December 2023. The process is as follows:

Public Summons: Critics are first called to court publicly by the Prosecutor General's Office.

Criminal Charges: Politically motivated charges are brought against them, often including public calls against the state, calls for mass riots, terrorism, and fraud.

In Absentia Arrest: Without the accused present, courts issue arrest warrants and sometimes even final sentences in their absence.

This legal process is then used to demand extradition through international law enforcement, like Interpol, giving an appearance of legitimacy to politically motivated persecution.

Impacts and International Condemnation

The report says that the repression includes online attacks, pressure through extradition demands, and harassment of family members who remain in Azerbaijan. This is used to limit the activities of critics abroad.

The use of international arrest warrants increases travel risks for those in exile. Even if an extradition request is rejected, the existence of a politically motivated warrant can lead to questioning, temporary detention, and travel restrictions in other countries.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized the campaign, with Deputy Director Georgi Gogia calling on Azerbaijani authorities to drop all politically motivated charges and stop suppressing independent voices.

A key precedent was set when the Swiss Ministry of Justice rejected Azerbaijan’s extradition request for blogger Manaf Jalilzadeh. The rejection mentioned the risk of torture and the high chance of an unfair trial if he were sent back to Azerbaijan.

Different Views

Official Stance: Azerbaijani officials and pro-government spokespeople say these actions are a legal response and a judicial position against smear campaigns that try to undermine the state's security.

Critics' View: Opposition figures and political analysts see the in absentia arrests as a political pressure tactic to create fear among the diaspora and within the country.

Call to Action

Samad Rahimli asks host countries and international groups to recognize these actions as transnational repression and take steps to protect activists, journalists, and public figures from political misuse of international legal systems. The approach is not seen as legitimate law enforcement but as a way to extend domestic control across borders.

Key Figures Targeted: Sevinc Osmanqızı, Qənimət Zahid, Altay Göyüşov, Qabil Məmmədov, Tural Sadıqlı, Məhəmməd Mirzəli, Ərəstun Oruclu, Elşad Məmmədov, Qurban Məmmədov, Süleyman Süleymanlı, Orduxan Teymurxan, Orxan Ağayev, Rəfael Piriyev, İmaməddin Əlimanov, Abid Qafarov, Beydulla Manafov, Manaf Cəlilzadə.