Azerbaijani Cybersecurity Expert Ilgar Aliyev Dies in Custody

Ilgar Aliyev

Ilgar Aliyev, a 54-year-old cybersecurity expert and strategic advisor, passed away in Azerbaijan’s Prison No. 13 on May 1, 2026. His death occurred only 72 hours before a scheduled court hearing concerning his request for early release. Although the Ministry of Justice stated cardiovascular failure as the official cause of death, colleagues at AbzasMedia noted that Aliyev had no previous history of heart disease.

Aliyev’s detention began as part of a broader crackdown on Azerbaijani civil society that intensified in late 2023. Unlike earlier arrests of journalists and activists, Aliyev’s case indicated a new focus on the technical systems supporting independent media. He had been a crucial consultant and IT manager for organizations like AbzasMedia, known for investigating high-level corruption, and Meclis.info, a platform monitoring parliamentary activities. Despite having international qualifications and chances to work overseas, Aliyev had chosen to stay in Azerbaijan to oversee IT departments for entities such as the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the Azerbaijan Banks Association.

This death has prompted considerable examination from the human rights community. Emin Huseynov, a founding member and chairman of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), director of the Institute for Human Rights, conveyed his apprehension concerning the incident's circumstances. Human rights defenders have observed a link between Aliyev’s sudden death and the timing of his potential release, implying that the state is accountable for the safety and welfare of individuals under its care. These observers indicate a recurring pattern where prominent detainees experience health complications precisely when their cases attract heightened legal or international attention. Calls persist for a transparent investigation into the prison conditions and the medical attention Aliyev received before his death.

The legal actions against Aliyev mirrored a framework frequently observed in politically motivated cases within the region. Initially, he faced charges of drug possession with the intent to sell. During his trial, Aliyev testified that authorities secretly introduced narcotics into his tea before a compelled medical analysis and then compelled a video confession through physical torture. Defense attorneys highlighted a complete lack of physical evidence or official search-and-seizure operations. The Baku Grave Crimes Court ultimately reduced the charge to possession of large quantities without intent to sell, which led to a three-year sentence upon appeal.

The sequence of events in Aliyev's final weeks indicates a swift intensification in the handling of his custody. After his sentencing in early 2025 and a later reduction in his sentence during March 2026, he presented himself at the Karadagh District Court on April 27, 2026, to advocate for his release. His death on May 1 occurred three days before his scheduled follow-up hearing on May 4.

Aliyev’s demise is set against a broader humanitarian backdrop in Azerbaijan, where approximately 340 political prisoners remain confined. This group includes several of Aliyev’s associates from AbzasMedia, specifically Ulvi Hasanli and Sevinc Vaqifqizi, both of whom are currently serving nine-year sentences. International observers consider these incarcerations to be systematic breaches of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly concerning arbitrary arrest and freedom of expression. In his concluding public statements, Aliyev asserted that he had been falsely accused and that the legal system had been misused to suppress his technical assistance for independent platforms.