Berlin police restrict Azerbaijani protesters during Aliyev visit

German police have cordoned off an Azerbaijani political protest outside the Chancellery in Berlin during an official visit by President Ilham Aliyev.

Demonstrators demanding the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan said officers cleared the area, pushed back journalists, and removed protest tents set up nearby.

The protest, organised by activist Orkhan Agayev, has been running since 15 June to demand the release of 15 women currently detained in Azerbaijan, including nine journalists and six religious activists.

Journalist Afghan Mukhtarli, who has lived in Germany since 2020, told Meydan TV that special police forces moved activists, tourists, and unaccredited journalists far back from the Chancellery shortly before Mr Aliyev arrived.

"In the recent history of Germany, such a disgraceful incident has not occurred," Mr Mukhtarli said. "They closed off a large area with a police cordon, just like in Baku, and did not allow us or other journalists near."

He added that police dismantled tents erected by demonstrators and attempted to confiscate photos and lists of political prisoners, though activists resisted the attempt.

Local media access was also restricted, with only journalists accredited for the official meetings permitted inside the perimeter.

Mr Aliyev arrived in Berlin on 20 July for bilateral talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

During the visit, Mr Aliyev and Mr Merz signed a joint declaration on a Strategic Agenda for Bilateral Partnership between Germany and Azerbaijan, as well as an agreement establishing a joint business council. Talks covered bilateral trade, energy cooperation, and regional developments.

The visit was also marked by an exchange between Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy advisor to Mr Aliyev, and exiled Azerbaijani blogger Tural Sadiqli.

In video footage published online, Mr Hajiyev criticised the blogger's activities, calling treason against one's state "the hardest thing in life".

Mr Sadiqli is a vocal critic of the Azerbaijani government who was sentenced in absentia to 14 years in prison by a Baku court on charges including fraud and public calls to terrorism.