Azerbaijani Court Denies Release of Opposition Leader Ali Karimli Amid Crackdown

Ali Karimli

The Baku Court of Appeal turned down Ali Karimli's request for house arrest. Karimli is the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP). The court decided on December 19 to keep Karimli in jail. This keeps in place the pre-trial detention order from the Sabail District Court. This case against Karimli is part of a bigger move by the Azerbaijani government against opposition leaders.

The atmosphere outside the courthouse was tense. According to Karimli’s social media posts and APFP deputy chairman Seymur Hazi, police heavily guarded the building, stopping activists from gathering. The opposition says this proves the court's decision was a political order. Hazi said they anticipated the court's decision. He added that Karimli still says he is innocent and won't testify against what he calls absurd charges.

The Background

Ali Karimli was arrested on November 29. On December 1, he was charged under Article 278.1 of the Criminal Code. The charges accuse him of trying to seize power by force and change the country's constitutional order through violence. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to life in prison. Pro-government news sources say his arrest is tied to the investigation of Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former head of the Presidential Administration. However, the APFP denies any connection to Mehdiyev.

A Wide Net

The legal pressure isn't just on Karimli. Other members of the APFP and the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) are also being targeted. Mammad Ibrahim, an APFP board member, was arrested with Karimli on charges and will be detained until February 2026. Also, NCDF member Gultekin Hajibeyli was detained in Istanbul and given a five-year deportation order from Turkey. She says this is a politically motivated attempt to get rid of the opposition, using the Mehdiyev affair as an excuse.

Other people have been questioned in Azerbaijan. NCDF Chairman Camil Hasanli was called in by the State Security Service (SSS) as a witness in the Mehdiyev case. He was released after his testimony, but the questions were about his 2013 presidential campaign and the inner workings of the National Council. Even Ali Karimli’s brother-in-law, Elnur Seyidov, had his home searched by the SSS, and his electronic devices were taken. Seyidov had previously served seven years in prison.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Service have not commented on these events. This leaves the claims of the opposition and their families without an official response. Ali Karimli is scheduled to remain in custody until at least mid-February 2026. The international community is watching the situation in Baku closely.