Threats to Azerbaijani blogger Mehman Huseynov

Mehman Huseynov

In a recent interview with Meydan TV, Azerbaijani activist and journalist Mehman Huseynov revealed a disturbing campaign of sexual blackmail allegedly backed by the government, intended to silence his criticisms of the government.

Huseynov claims the State Security Service (SSS) put hidden cameras in his home to record private moments. These recordings were then used to threaten his family. Instead of giving in, Huseynov is openly challenging the authorities, demanding that President Ilham Aliyev and security officials make these recordings public.

He calls this tactic state terrorism and says it violates basic privacy rights. Huseynov argues that these personal, private actions shouldn't be a cause for shame.

This document aims to present proof of state persecution against Mehman Huseynov, an Azerbaijani journalist critical of the government. The government has engaged in surveillance, blackmailed his family, and issued death threats to silence him. Mr. Huseynov's testimony suggests involvement by the State Security Service and the Presidential Administration. International organizations should demand an investigation and hold Azerbaijani officials responsible.

These recent actions are part of a long-term campaign to punish Mr. Huseynov. For over ten years, authorities have tried to stop his work:

He was jailed for two years.

Authorities opened a second case against him while he was in jail.

He was banned from leaving the country for seven years.

He was denied an identity card for a long time.

These actions failed to silence him, leading to more covert tactics targeting his family.

The intimidation grew as Mr. Huseynov became a voice against the media crackdown. It began with surveillance and included the psychological torture of his family, and threats to his life and his deceased mother's grave.

After his release from prison in 2019, agents put a hidden camera in Mr. Huseynov’s bedroom. This lasted for five years, violating his and his family's privacy. The material was planned to be released when he was jailed again, to ruin him.

Months ago, the campaign got worse. State agents abducted his father and brother, blindfolded them, and took them to a secret place. They were forced to watch videos from his bedroom and told Mr. Huseynov must stop his work.

When Mr. Huseynov refused, the threats increased:

They threatened to damage his mother's grave.

Mr. Huseynov mentioned past rape threats since 2010.

He received death threats and disinformation was spread online.

This is a state-sponsored campaign to silence dissent.

Mr. Huseynov's evidence suggests high-level involvement, not rogue agents. Mr. Huseynov's brother reported the abduction and blackmail to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but was refused. A Presidential Aide, Fuad Alasgarov, appeared to endorse the blackmail.

Mr. Huseynov says the State Security Service is behind the blackmail, which they have used against journalists, activists, and politicians since 2010. He believes that the head of the DTX, Ali Naghiyev, would have required President Ilham Aliyev's approval for the operation.

These actions violate Azerbaijan's commitments under international treaties.

His private bedroom was monitored for five years, a violation of privacy (ICCPR Article 17, ECHR Article 8).

The campaign is an attack on freedom of speech (ICCPR Article 19, ECHR Article 10).

The abduction of Mr. Huseynov's family the threats are cruel treatment (ICCPR Article 7, ECHR Article 3).

The refusal to investigate the crime denies Mr. Huseynov legal protection (ICCPR Article 2, ECHR Article 13).

Mehman Huseynov's case exemplifies Azerbaijan's state policy of using illegal methods to silence critics. His public disclosure is to stop the cycle of fear against victims of blackmail. We call on the international community to:

Urge human rights groups to condemn these actions and start an investigation.

Call upon governmental bodies to put pressure on Azerbaijan to stop harassing journalists and activists.

Suggest sanctions against those responsible, including Ali Naghiyev, Vilayat Eyvazov, and Fuad Alasgarov, pending an investigation.

Demand that Azerbaijan ensure the safety of journalists and rights defenders.