Popular Azerbaijani Rapper Elshad Khose Gets 15 Days in Jail After Speaking Out

Elshad Khose

Baku's arts community is talking about the 47-year-old rapper Elshad Khose, whose real name is Elshad Aliyev. He was sentenced to 15 days in jail after he publicly criticized the city's Bayirsheher demolitions. The official reason given was street misconduct, but it seems like his social media posts are the real reason.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty says that on January 3, police picked up Khose from his home and took him to the Yasamal district police station. Police say Khose was acting like a minor hooligan near the Nizami metro station, swearing and ignoring police. He was charged and quickly sentenced to 15 days.

Khose tells a different story. At his appeal hearing on January 7, he said he didn't fight with police or cause any trouble. He believes he was arrested because of a video he posted where he cursed about the Baku demolitions. He said he regretted his language, but felt his arrest was wrong, considering he's a well-known person with a family and medical issues.

The court stood by the first decision, so Khose will finish his sentence. The case is getting attention because it shows the problems that can arise when artists speak out against city projects. Khose's arrest is a big example of the trouble influencers can face when they question what the government is doing.