Azerbaijani Opposition Figure's Deportation Case Discussed in Turkish Parliament

Gultakin Hajibeyli

The detention and possible deportation of Gultakin Hajibeyli, a former deputy and member of Azerbaijan’s opposition National Council, has been brought up in the Turkish Parliament (TBMM).

Hajibeyli was taken into custody in Istanbul on the night of November 29–30 and placed under surveillance at the Arnavutköy Deportation Center. Four police officers took her from her rented home. The reason given was the G-82 restriction code, usually for foreigners who threaten national security. She says this code is meant for foreign terrorists under Turkish law.

The former deputy says the decision is political. She entered Turkey on September 25th with a valid two-year residence permit and was still within her legal three-month stay. She believes the goal is to deport her to Azerbaijan, where she could be arrested for political reasons because of the ongoing crackdown on the opposition.

Parliamentary Question

Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, a Kocaeli Member of Parliament for the DEM Party (Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party), sent a 14-point question to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya about the case.

The questions asked for the exact legal reason for using the G-82 code and the surveillance decision. He wanted to know where the information came from to justify the G-82 designation and which body made that decision. Gergerlioğlu asked if the Azerbaijani government requested her detention or deportation. He also wanted to know if Hajibeyli had been involved in any criminal case or incident during her stay in Turkey. The question also asked if she was given access to a lawyer, family, an interpreter, and medical help. He also requested a risk assessment because of her claims of political persecution if returned to Azerbaijan. Lastly, he asked for the total number of deportations and control decisions against Azerbaijani citizens under the G-82 code between 2023 and 2025.

Situation in Azerbaijan

Hajibeyli's detention happened during a government crackdown on the Azerbaijani opposition. Ali Karimli, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP), and Mammad Ibrahim, a Presidium member, were arrested on November 29. Pro-government media said the arrests were linked to an investigation involving Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former head of the Presidential Administration.

On December 1, a court sentenced Karimli and Ibrahim to 2 months and 15 days in jail before trial, charging them with actions aimed at seizing power. Hajibeyli said the accusations of working with Mehdiyev are absurd.