Azerbaijani Worker Rights Activist Transferred to Harsher Prison Regime Amid Torture Allegations

Elvin Mustafayev

BAKU, Azerbaijan – Elvin Mustafayev, an imprisoned member of the "Workers' Table" Confederation of Trade Unions, has been transferred to a stricter, closed-regime prison for a period of six months. The decision, handed down by Judge Nariman Mehdiyev at the Nizami District Court on July 10, marks an escalation in the punitive measures against the activist, who claims he has been subjected to torture and ill-treatment while in custody.

Mustafayev's transfer to the Gobustan closed-regime prison follows a petition from the administration of Correctional Institution No. 6, where he was previously held. The institution alleged that Mustafayev failed to comply with internal disciplinary rules, engaged in "opposition activities," attempted to write "unfounded complaints," and even tried to inflict harm on himself and staff. The petition sought his transfer to the harsher regime until the end of his sentence in August 2026, citing multiple reprimands he had received.

Activist Alleges Brutal Beatings and Lack of Medical Aid

During the July 10 court hearing, Elvin Mustafayev vehemently denied the allegations, calling them "false and fabricated pretexts" designed to justify his transfer. He testified that he has faced "various pressures" since being moved to Correctional Institution No. 6, including a brutal beating in the chief's office.

"Employees named Samir and Ali beat me so hard that my ear bled for three days. Then, it discharged pus for another 10 days," Mustafayev recounted, adding that he was not provided with medical assistance for his injuries. Despite filing complaints with the prosecutor's office and the Penitentiary Service regarding the alleged torture, he stated that no one has yet investigated his claims or taken his statement.

Mustafayev attributes the pressures against him to two key actions: his hunger strike in April in support of political activist Tofig Yagublu's hunger strike, and his protest against the exorbitant prices at the prison's shop. "They sell bananas for 6 manats a kilo. In general, they sell everything at two to three times the price," he stated.

Legal Defense and Broader Context

Tural Farzali, a member of the "Workers' Table" Board, condemned the court's decision, stating, "This verdict is an attempt to silence a young man who does not bow to the regime and fights against injustice. Elvin was arrested on political orders and constantly faces torture and ill-treatment in prison."

During the court proceedings, the correctional institution's representative argued that Mustafayev's consistent non-compliance with internal rules necessitated his placement in a disciplinary cell. However, Mustafayev's lawyer, Zibeyda Sadigova, presented a disc containing an interview with recently released journalist Avaz Zeynalli. Zeynalli, who was also held at Correctional Institution No. 6, spoke in his interview about Mustafayev being subjected to torture there, corroborating the activist's claims and suggesting bias from the institution's management.

The prosecutor proposed a partial granting of the petition, recommending Mustafayev's transfer to a prison regime for six months, a suggestion the judge ultimately adopted. Mustafayev's family has announced their intention to appeal the Nizami District Court's decision.

Ongoing Crackdown on "Workers' Table"

Elvin Mustafayev was initially arrested in August 2023 on drug trafficking charges and sentenced to three years in prison by the Baku Court of Grave Crimes on January 31, 2024. He has consistently rejected these charges, asserting that they are fabricated and linked to his activism with the "Workers' Table."

Mustafayev had previously faced administrative arrest for 25 days on charges of minor hooliganism and resisting police, which he also denied.

The "Workers' Table" Confederation of Trade Unions, established in 2022, has seen several of its members imprisoned. Currently, chairman Afiyaddin Mammadov and members Ayhan Israfilov and Mohyeddin Orujov are also in custody, facing various charges that they, like Mustafayev, claim are politically motivated and fabricated in retaliation for their defense of workers' rights.

Azerbaijani government officials, however, maintain that no one in the country is persecuted for their socio-political activities, and that all arrests are based on concrete facts. This case, and the broader situation of the "Workers' Table" members, continues to draw attention to concerns about human rights and freedom of association in Azerbaijan.