Imprisoned Activist Alleges Abuse in Prison

Tarlan Sayadov

Tarlan Sayadov, a member of the Muslim Unity Movement currently serving a prison sentence, has reported incidents of mistreatment. According to information shared by the Muslim Unity Movement on Facebook, Sayadov claims he was placed in solitary confinement, also known as a carcer, and subjected to physical abuse.

Details of Sayadov's alleged abuse came to light during a phone call with his family on December 10th. During the conversation, Sayadov explained that he believes he is being targeted because of his faith. He stated that the alleged beating and subsequent placement in solitary confinement occurred on November 28th, the same day he arrived at the Umbakı Closed Prison.

Sayadov claims the incident stemmed from a request for a prayer rug which is also known as a sajadah. As a devout Muslim, Sayadov needs a clean space to perform his daily prayers. He had brought his own prayer rug to Umbakı Prison, but was unable to find it after being placed in quarantine.

"The area here is not clean, so I requested a prayer rug," Sayadov reportedly told his family. "I had brought my own when I arrived, but it wasn't with me in the quarantine area. I told a supervisor that I could not pray in an unclean space, and they responded disrespectfully."

Sayadov alleges that the situation then escalated. "A group of prison employees came and accused me of breaking the prison's internal regulations and being disrespectful to a staff member," he said. "They then informed me that I would be put in solitary confinement for twelve days."

Tarlan Sayadov is currently serving a three-year sentence on drug-related charges, handed down on July 23, 2025. Prior to this incident, on November 4th, he was moved from Penitentiary Institution No. 13 to the Umbakı Closed Prison. Prison officials stated the transfer was due to Sayadov violating internal rules. He was scheduled to remain at the Umbakı prison for six months. These allegations raise concerns about the treatment of prisoners and the protection of their religious rights within the Azerbaijani penal system. It’s important to note that the detail around the internal rules Sayadov allegedly violated have not been provided. This leaves room for speculation. Without knowing the exact nature of the violation, it is difficult to assess the true context of his prison transfer and subsequent alleged mistreatment. Moving forward, human rights organizations and other parties will likely continue to monitor Sayadov's situation, as well as other similar cases, to ensure that all prisoners are treated fairly and humanely, regardless of their charges or religious beliefs. It’s important to remember the impact the conditions of imprisonment have on an individual’s physical and mental health. Prisoners are heavily dependent on the prison staff for care, and that the events that Sayadov reports could have further health consequences.Tarlan Sayadov

Tarlan Sayadov, a member of the Muslim Unity Movement currently serving a prison sentence, has reported incidents of mistreatment. According to information shared by the Muslim Unity Movement on Facebook, Sayadov claims he was placed in solitary confinement, also known as a carcer, and subjected to physical abuse.

Details of Sayadov's alleged abuse came to light during a phone call with his family on December 10th. During the conversation, Sayadov explained that he believes he is being targeted because of his faith. He stated that the alleged beating and subsequent placement in solitary confinement occurred on November 28th, the same day he arrived at the Umbakı Closed Prison.

Sayadov claims the incident stemmed from a request for a prayer rug which is also known as a sajadah. As a devout Muslim, Sayadov needs a clean space to perform his daily prayers. He had brought his own prayer rug to Umbakı Prison, but was unable to find it after being placed in quarantine.

Imprisoned Activist Alleges Abuse in Prison

Sayadov alleges that the situation then escalated. "A group of prison employees came and accused me of breaking the prison's internal regulations and being disrespectful to a staff member," he said. "They then informed me that I would be put in solitary confinement for twelve days."

Tarlan Sayadov is currently serving a three-year sentence on drug-related charges, handed down on July 23, 2025. Prior to this incident, on November 4th, he was moved from Penitentiary Institution No. 13 to the Umbakı Closed Prison. Prison officials stated the transfer was due to Sayadov violating internal rules. He was scheduled to remain at the Umbakı prison for six months. These allegations raise concerns about the treatment of prisoners and the protection of their religious rights within the Azerbaijani penal system. It’s important to note that the detail around the internal rules Sayadov allegedly violated have not been provided. This leaves room for speculation. Without knowing the exact nature of the violation, it is difficult to assess the true context of his prison transfer and subsequent alleged mistreatment. Moving forward, human rights organizations and other parties will likely continue to monitor Sayadov's situation, as well as other similar cases, to ensure that all prisoners are treated fairly and humanely, regardless of their charges or religious beliefs. It’s important to remember the impact the conditions of imprisonment have on an individual’s physical and mental health. Prisoners are heavily dependent on the prison staff for care, and that the events that Sayadov reports could have further health consequences.Tarlan Sayadov