Peace Activist and Scholar Bahruz Samedov Sentenced to 15 Years in Azerbaijan Amid Treason Charges

Bahruz Samedov

Baku, June 23, 2025 — Bahruz Samedov, a peace activist and doctoral student at Charles University in Prague, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Baku Serious Crimes Court on charges of treason. The harsh verdict, issued behind closed doors and presided over by Judge Elnur Nuriyev, has sparked outrage among human rights defenders and civil society observers, who see the case as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Azerbaijan.

A Scholar on Trial

Samedov, a 30-year-old political analyst known for his anti-war stance and academic work on the Azerbaijan–Armenia conflict, was arrested on August 21, 2024, by officers of the State Security Service. His home was searched, and personal belongings — including his computer — were confiscated. He was subsequently charged under Article 274 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, which concerns treason and carries penalties of up to life imprisonment.

At the June 20 court session, the state prosecutor accused Samedov of collaborating with Armenian intelligence services and demanded a 16-year sentence. Following the announcement, Samedov reportedly attempted suicide in protest and later declared a hunger strike, which he has maintained for five days as of the verdict date.

Defense Rejects Charges as Fabricated

During the proceedings, both Samedov and his lawyer, Zibeyda Sadigova, firmly rejected the treason allegations. They argued that there was no factual basis for the charges and requested an acquittal.

“Bahruz Samedov is a peace-oriented academic and an opponent of war,” said Sadigova in her closing arguments. “He has never worked for any state institution, had no access to classified documents, and hasn't lived in Azerbaijan for the past six years. To accuse him of passing on secrets he never had is absurd.”

Samedov echoed these points in his final statement to the court, saying he believes he is being punished for his peaceful views and calls for reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Wider Reactions and Context

Samedov’s only close relative, his grandmother Zibeyda Osmanova, condemned the verdict in remarks to the media.

“In this country, anyone who speaks the truth is punished. Bahruz is one of them,” she said. “They loot the wealth of the country, and then jail those who dare to say it out loud. Freedom of speech and assembly exist only on paper.”

The case comes amid ongoing concerns about the suppression of dissent in Azerbaijan. According to local human rights organizations, there are currently 375 political prisoners in the country. The government denies this figure, claiming all detainees are held for specific legal violations rather than political motives.

Samedov’s lawyer confirmed plans to appeal the verdict, calling it “unjust and unfounded.” She also expressed concern for her client’s deteriorating health due to his hunger strike. He is currently being held in the medical unit of the Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center.

Who Is Bahruz Samedov?

At the time of his arrest, Samedov was on academic leave from his doctoral studies at Charles University in Prague. He has written extensively on the 2020 44-day war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the 2023 military operation in Karabakh, often in terms that diverge sharply from the Azerbaijani government’s narrative.

He has described himself as a pacifist and has consistently called for peaceful resolution to regional conflicts. His writing and research — critical yet scholarly — have made him a target, supporters say, of politically motivated charges designed to silence dissenting voices.

As the legal team prepares an appeal, Samedov’s case continues to draw attention from international academic and human rights communities. His supporters warn that the ruling sends a chilling message to others in Azerbaijan who advocate for peace, transparency, and free expression.

Whether the appeal will bring justice remains uncertain — but for now, Bahruz Samedov faces 15 years in prison for his words and ideas.