Jailed Azerbaijan activist alleges prison abuse following EU chief visit

Bakhtiyar Hajiyev

Imprisoned Azerbaijani activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev has suffered physical violence and increased harassment in prison following a visit to Baku by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, his family says.

Relatives told local news outlet Toplum TV that authorities at Penal Facility No. 6 had banned media materials, confiscated books and personal items, and ignored Hajiyev's official complaints.

Pressure has also escalated against other inmates who signed a joint petition to Ms von der Leyen. Fellow prisoner Yashar Aghazadeh was placed in a punishment cell and has been on a hunger strike for more than 10 days, according to the activist's family.

Hajiyev said similar measures were being used against other political prisoners and journalists across the country's penal system.

"It is clear that energy, economic and commercial interests have become a priority for Europe," his family quoted him as saying.

"The Azerbaijani authorities, seeing international pressure weaken, are further tightening repression, making new arrests and trying to completely silence detained individuals by depriving them of contact with the media and society."

Hajiyev was arrested in December 2022 on initial charges of hooliganism and contempt of court.

Prosecutors later added multiple financial charges, including illegal entrepreneurship, money laundering, smuggling, document forgery and tax evasion.

In January, the Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced the prominent activist to 10 years in prison and ordered the confiscation of his apartment and bank accounts. The decision was upheld by the Baku Court of Appeal on 7 April.

Hajiyev denies all charges, maintaining his prosecution was ordered by Interior Minister Vilayat Eyvazov in retaliation for public criticism.