Azerbaijani Peace Researcher Attempts Suicide in Prison After Prosecutors Seek 16-Year Sentence

Bahruz Samadov

Imprisoned Azerbaijani peace activist and researcher Bahruz Samadov attempted to take his own life in prison this week after prosecutors demanded he be sentenced to 16 years on treason charges that international rights groups have condemned as fabricated.

Samadov, a PhD candidate at Charles University in Prague, was saved at the last moment by a fellow prisoner who intervened when he tried to hang himself in his cell, according to his grandmother Zibeyda Osmanova, his only living relative.

The 29-year-old researcher disappeared on August 21, 2024, while visiting Baku from Prague. After two days of silence, Azerbaijani officials confirmed his detention by the State Security Service. The Baku Sabail District Court charged him under Article 274 of the Criminal Code for treason against the state, which carries a potential sentence of 12-20 years in prison or life imprisonment.

Samadov, known for his research on the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict and his advocacy for peace between the two countries, has consistently denied the charges. In his testimony, he emphasized that no evidence supports accusations of collaboration with Armenian security services, calling the treason charges fabricated. "I am a pacifist and opposed to war. My speeches and articles are about this. Therefore, I am being punished with false charges in order to silence me," he stated.

The crisis escalated during a court hearing on June 20, when the state prosecutor formally requested a 16-year prison sentence for Samadov. In response to this demand, the researcher began a death hunger strike on June 19 and attempted suicide sometime between June 20-21.

"When he spoke with me, one of the guards sat with us and [Bahruz] stated that one of his cell mates saved him. He could not say when he attempted suicide, last night or this morning," Osmanova told OC Media on Saturday. "I know that he is innocent and cannot prove his innocence, and he cannot come to terms with it."

Following the suicide attempt, Samadov was transferred to the hospital wing of Baku Pretrial Detention Centre No. 1. His grandmother reported that he has refused all food brought to the detention center for three days and continues his hunger strike.

During a supervised visit on June 21, Osmanova was taken to meet with Elnur Ismayilov, the head of the detention center. "The head told Behruz not to do such things and to stop the hunger strike as well. Behruz said that he had no guilt. Why are you giving me 16 years?

That's why I won't stop the hunger strike," Osmanova recounted.

Samadov's lawyer, Zibeyda Sadigova, has sent official notices to the Public Defender's Office and the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice, requesting immediate visits to assess his condition.

Azerbaijani activist Amrah Tahmazov warned about the ongoing danger: "We are all concerned about Samadov's psychological state. He may attempt suicide again at any time."

This marks Samadov's second hunger strike since his detention. He ended his first hunger strike in February after authorities reportedly withheld medical care and worsened his prison conditions.

Samadov's case is part of an intensifying crackdown on dissent in Azerbaijan. His situation has drawn parallels to other recent cases targeting journalists and researchers critical of the government.

In May, Igbal Abilov, a Talysh researcher, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on similar high treason charges. On the same Friday that prosecutors demanded Samadov's 16-year sentence, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced the management and journalists of Abzas Media to between seven and a half and nine years in prison. Farid Mehralizada, a journalist at RFE/RL, was also sentenced to nine years after being detained in June 2024.

International rights groups have condemned Samadov's arrest and the charges against him, dismissing the accusations as fabricated and part of a broader pattern of silencing government critics.

The Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice has not responded to requests for comment about Samadov's condition or the measures being taken to ensure his safety.

As Samadov's trial nears conclusion, concerns mount about his psychological state and the risk of further suicide attempts. His case has become emblematic of the challenges facing independent voices in Azerbaijan, where researchers and journalists increasingly face severe criminal charges for their work.

The outcome of Samadov's case is being closely watched by international observers as a test of Azerbaijan's treatment of academic freedom and peaceful dissent.