Azerbaijani Activist Exposes Prison Corruption and Conditions

Afiaddin Mammadov

Afiaddin Mammadov, Chairman of the Worker's Table Trade Union Confederation, has released a letter detailing harsh conditions and corruption within Azerbaijan's prisons. Mammadov, imprisoned since September 2023 on what he claims are political charges, is currently held at Prison Facility No. 2.

Mammadov describes extreme overcrowding at the facility, which holds nearly 1,800 inmates despite being designed for only 800. This has led to poor conditions, with some prisoners sleeping on the floor. He also notes staff shortages make managing the large inmate population difficult. Mammadov believes the government should focus on addressing the causes of crime, such as socio-economic issues, rather than building more prisons. He advocates for job creation as a solution.

Mammadov also points out that inmates at Facility No. 2 are denied video calls, a right granted in other facilities like Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center. Video calls were once available for a fee but were stopped after some inmates used inappropriate language. Mammadov insists on the return of this right, stating that it affects nearly 1,800 inmates, including foreign citizens, separated from their families.

Mammadov further claims that early release is often determined by corruption. He alleges that courts are demanding bribes for each month left on a sentence if the remaining time is less than two years. Mammadov concludes that inmates who cannot pay are less likely to be released, no matter how good their conduct.

Mammadov notes that the Penitentiary Service is encouraging inmates to apply for early release after serving two-thirds of their sentence. He sees this as a sign of conflict between the Ministry of Justice and the courts over the growing prison population.

He ends by urging the Azerbaijani government to declare a major amnesty, a practice he considers vital and routine in fair countries, as supported by both the Ministry of Justice and the inmates.

Afiaddin Mammadov was sentenced to 8 years in January 2024 after being arrested following a protest against the seizure of couriers' mopeds. He and other members of the Worker's Table maintain their charges are fabricated and politically motivated because of their activism.