Azerbaijani Opposition Leaders Arrested in Turkey and Azerbaijan

Gultakin Hacibayli

Around November 29–30, several Azerbaijani opposition figures were arrested both in Azerbaijan and Turkey. These arrests seem to be related to a supposed plan involving Ramiz Mehdiyev, the former head of the Presidential Administration.

Gultakin Hacibayli's Arrest in Turkey

Gultakin Hacibayli, a coordinator for the opposition National Council of Democratic Forces, was arrested by police at her rented apartment in Istanbul, Turkey, late on November 29. She said she was being taken to a police station and feared being sent back to Azerbaijan immediately by the Azerbaijani government.

Hacibayli strongly denied claims that she was involved in Ramiz Mehdiyev's coup plans, which she says pro-government media spread. She called the accusations absurd and disgusting slander, and stated she is a patriot and a Turkish nationalist. She mentioned that the authorities rushed her arrest, not allowing her to take a scheduled IELTS exam, which she saw as proof they wanted to quickly deport her. Hacibayli had been living in Turkey for two months and had a valid two-year residence permit.

Crackdown on the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP)

Hacibayli's arrest happened after a series of arrests in Azerbaijan targeting leaders of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP/PNAF).

Ali Karimli: AXCP Chairman Ali Karimli was arrested by the State Security Service (DTX) on November 29 after a house search that lasted over six hours. He is formally accused under Article 278 of the Criminal Code (attempted violent seizure of power).

Controversial Evidence: Pro-government media said Karimli’s arrest was related to the criminal case against Ramiz Mehdiyev, who is also accused of trying to start a coup. The AXCP said that DTX employees planted a copy of a controversial letter during the search of Karimli’s home. The letter was supposedly written by Mehdiyev to Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting a transitional government in Azerbaijan. Karimli has denied working with Mehdiyev.

Other Detainees: Several other AXCP figures were arrested on the same day, including Supreme Council Secretary Mammad Ibrahim, Russian citizen, and former member Saleh Rustamli. Two other detainees, Assistant to the Chairman Faiq Amirli and member Ruslan Amirov, were later let go.

The AXCP has rejected all accusations against its members, calling the detentions a politically driven and oppressive act by the government to get rid of the last independent political group in the country.