Mohyaddin Orujev Reports Harassment in Penal Colony

Mohyaddin Orujev

In Azerbaijan, trade union activist Mohyaddin Orujev is facing pressure in Correctional Facility No. 13, where he is serving his sentence, according to his lawyer, Nazim Musayev.

"Some time ago, Mohyaddin Orujev asked the colony management to provide him with an opportunity for a video call with his relatives. While he was speaking with his family members, a screenshot was taken, and subsequently, his image was circulated on social media. The head of Correctional Facility No. 13 reprimanded Mohyaddin for this. However, the young man stated that he was unaware of how the image ended up on the internet," Musayev said.

According to the lawyer, the colony management is inciting other inmates against Orujev.

Musayev noted that he had reached out to the management of the facility to demand an end to the pressure on Orujev. "I told them: if they believe Orujev has committed some misconduct, then let them officially apply disciplinary measures against him. But it is unacceptable to turn other prisoners against him; this could lead to unpredictable consequences," Nazim Musayev said, adding that Orujev had previously been subjected to pressure in the same facility.

In October 2023, Mohyaddin Orujev was arrested for 30 days on charges of petty hooliganism and disobeying law enforcement. The police explained their interest in the activist by citing his social media comment criticizing the authorities. On December 15, 2023, Orujev, who had accused police of violence following his administrative arrest, was arrested in a criminal case involving illegal drug trafficking.

On February 25, 2025, a court in Baku sentenced activist Mohyaddin Orujev to three years in prison. Orujev called the case fabricated and explained that he faced persecution after advocating for his labor rights and the rights of other workers at the ATEF company plant.

After his arrest, Orujev was admitted into the "Labor Platform" (Işçi Masası) alternative trade union confederation.