Azerbaijani officials confronted by exiled blogger in Germany

An exiled Azerbaijani blogger has confronted two senior officials from Baku outside the German Chancellery, leading to a heated street debate over political prisoners, human rights, and land rights.

Alamdar Bunyatov approached Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and presidential aide Hikmat Hajiyev during President Ilham Aliyev’s official visit to Germany.

A video recording of the encounter was widely shared across social media, drawing support from critics of the Azerbaijani government, while pro-government media outlets in Baku subsequently labelled Mr Bunyatov an "Iranian agent".

The video shows Mr Bunyatov waiting outside the German Chancellery in Berlin before spotting the two officials and asking to put a question to the foreign minister.

He raised concerns regarding a hunger strike conducted by Azerbaijanis protesting against the detention of female journalists and Shiite Muslim women in the country.

Mr Bayramov rejected the assertions, denying that prisoners faced mistreatment or torture.

"It is unacceptable for you to present your personal opinion as the truth," Mr Bayramov told him.

When Mr Bunyatov cited reports from human rights group Amnesty International detailing the mistreatment of journalists, Mr Hajiyev questioned the organisation’s funding and asked on what legal basis the blogger was residing in Germany.

Mr Bunyatov replied that he had sought political asylum following a police raid in his home village of Nardaran in November 2015.

Mr Hajiyev then asked which foreign power had intervened in the Nardaran events, prompting Mr Bunyatov to reply: "You would say Iran."

Baku frequently targets practising Shiite Muslims and religious activists during periods of heightened diplomatic tension with neighbouring Iran.

During the exchange, Mr Bunyatov accused the authorities of violating his right to free speech and alleged that the state had seized his 2.7-hectare (6.7-acre) plot of land in Nardaran. He claimed the property was transferred to Emin Aghalarov, a businessman and former son-in-law of President Aliyev.

When Mr Hajiyev asked how Mr Bunyatov came to own such land, the blogger responded: "Why not, given that high-ranking officials own land spanning 100 hectares?"

Mr Bayramov urged the blogger to produce evidence for his claims. Mr Bunyatov responded by stating that two of his cousins were killed and another was left disabled during the 2015 Nardaran security operation.

He asked why the government maintained a permanent police checkpoint outside his family home.

Mr Hajiyev defended the state’s actions, saying law enforcement agencies were "taking measures in response to threats to Azerbaijan’s sovereignty and national security, as well as in connection with attempts to form armed groups directed against the government".

As the two officials attempted to walk towards their vehicle, Mr Bunyatov followed them, challenging their assertions and claiming that Interior Minister Vilayat Eyvazov had previously told him his duty was to serve the president rather than the nation.

Mr Hajiyev stopped and highlighted President Aliyev’s role in the military campaigns that restored Azerbaijani control over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, asking Mr Bunyatov if he had performed military service.

"Nagorno-Karabakh was liberated by the children of the poor people, and when I served in the army, Aliyev’s son lived in London," Mr Bunyatov replied.

Mr Bayramov warned the blogger that he had "crossed a red line" and was playing political games.

As the officials entered their vehicle, Mr Bunyatov shouted that "justice will one day prevail" and said government representatives ought to serve the public rather than the ruling authorities.

Mr Bunyatov is a member of the Muslim Unity Movement, a conservative Shiite group targeted by Azerbaijani authorities during a major police operation in Nardaran in November 2015.

Six people, including four local residents and two police officers, were killed in the raid. More than 100 people were detained, with 44 subsequently receiving lengthy prison terms on radicalism charges.

Mr Bunyatov was detained during the operation and left for Germany shortly after his release.