European Parliament Condemns "Shockingly Harsh" Prison Sentences for Azerbaijan Journalists

Brussels, June 25, 2025 - Leading European Parliament officials have expressed outrage over what they describe as extraordinarily severe prison sentences handed down to journalists, researchers, and activists in Azerbaijan, marking what they call "yet another escalation" in the country's crackdown on regime critics.

In a joint statement released today, three key MEPs condemned the recent wave of sentences that saw critics of the Azerbaijani government receive terms ranging from seven to 18 years in prison on what European officials characterize as politically motivated charges.

The harshest sentence went to Bahruz Samadov, a researcher at Charles University in Prague and peace activist, who received 15 years on treason charges after reportedly going on a hunger strike and attempting suicide while in detention. Samadov, arrested in August 2024, had been advocating for peace with Armenia.

Meanwhile, seven members of the independent news outlet Abzas Media, including director Ulvi Hasanli and editor-in-chief Sevinj Abbasova Vagifgizi, received sentences between seven and nine years on charges of currency smuggling and money laundering. Radio Free Europe journalist Farid Mehralizada was also sentenced alongside the Abzas Media team.

The European Parliament officials noted that these cases represent just "some cases out of the staggering number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan," which they say has grown to nearly 400 over recent years. Earlier cases include Talysh minority historian Igbal Abilov, sentenced to 18 years for treason, and opposition activist Tofig Yagublu, who received nine years in what officials called a "sham trial."

The statement, issued by MEPs Mounir Satouri, Nils Ušakovs, and Dan Barna, calls for EU sanctions against responsible Azerbaijani officials and warns against any steps that might "embolden the regime." They reiterated Parliament's position that future EU-Azerbaijan partnerships should be conditional on releasing all political prisoners and improving human rights conditions.