Daughter of Jailed NGO Leader Speaks Out: Our Silent Struggle Meets Only Silence

Aysu Ahmadova, whose father Asaf Ahmadov leads the Ganja Regional Community Center, has spoken out after his arrest in the NGO case.

In a message on social media, Aysu explained that she prefers to keep personal stuff private, but now she just can't stay quiet.

"I'm not one to share my personal life," Aysu wrote. "But I can't be quiet anymore."

Aysu shared that her mother is now in the hospital, battling cluster headaches, a long-term brain condition. According to Aysu, this health issue came on suddenly, turning their lives upside down.

"My mom's in the hospital," she wrote. "She's been diagnosed with cluster headaches. It hit us hard recently, and things haven't been the same. We've learned this is something she'll deal with forever, and each attack hurts her more."

Aysu said her mother's condition gets really bad during these attacks, hitting her memory and everyday tasks.

"When these attacks happen, my mom can't talk, walk, eat, or even drink. It messes with her head and body. She forgets names, struggles with words, and can barely walk straight."

Aysu also talked about the emotional impact on her family, watching her mother in pain. She thinks her mother's condition is from months of worry and stress.

"While the pain steals her voice and movement, I'm just trying to be there for her. This didn't come out of nowhere; it's been building up for months."

She added that with her father in jail, she's carrying the whole family.

"I have a father, but he can't be here. My mom's illness, combined with my father's absence, means everything falls on me."

Aysu says she's responsible for her younger sister, her father's needs in jail, the hospital, and everything else at home.

"I'm looking after my little sister, making sure my dad's okay in jail, dealing with the hospital, and running the house. On top of that, I'm trying to keep up with my studies."

Aysu writes that during the trial, she and her mother were struggling with stress and staying strong. Now she feels alone.

"My mother and I were worn down trying to stay strong, but at least we had each other in the past. Now, trying to do it all, I'm fighting this battle by myself.”

Aysu has lost hope of any aid.

“We have no hope from human rights, family and women’s groups. They are responding us with silence.”

Asaf Ahmadov is one of a number of people caught up in the NGO case. Around 15 people from civil society have been arrested as part of this.

Currently, Bashir Suleymanli, Mammad Alpay, Asaf Ahmadov, Zamin Zaki, and Ahmad Mammadzade are in jail.

Subhan Hasanli and Aytaj Agazade are wanted, but police can't find them because they are out of the country. Alternative measures have been selected for the other individuals.

Those accused say the charges are baseless and politically motivated.