Travel Ban Prevents Activist Araz Aliyev from Accompanying Critically Ill Mother Abroad for Treatment

Araz Aliyev

Prominent public activist and founding member of the Third Republic Platform, Araz Aliyev, was unexpectedly barred from leaving Azerbaijan on July 7, 2025, preventing him from accompanying his critically ill mother abroad for urgent medical treatment. Aliyev, who also holds membership in the NIDA Civic Movement, learned of the travel restriction upon arriving at the airport with his mother.

Aliyev's mother has been battling an oncological illness for six months, having undergone major surgery and currently receiving chemotherapy. Despite ongoing treatment in Azerbaijan, her condition has reportedly worsened in recent days, with her blood values failing to improve. Aliyev expressed profound distress over the situation, stating, "My mother has been an oncology patient for 6 months... However, thanks to the 'professionalism' of Azerbaijani healthcare, the treatment isn't working. Her condition has worsened in recent days. Her blood values aren't rising. Nobody is giving a logical explanation. I'm forced to urgently take my mother out of the country."

The activist emphasized that the reason for the travel ban remains unknown to him. He asserts that he is not accused in any criminal case, nor is there an ongoing investigation against him. "There's no criminal case against me, nor am I accused in any case. The reason and purpose of the 'stop' are also unknown to me," Aliyev stated. He recounted being forced to return from the airport, while his mother, who has stage three cancer and was traveling by plane for the first time, had to proceed with the journey alone. "It's unlikely my sick mother can go anywhere and receive treatment without me. What should we do now? Should I just wait for my mother to die before my eyes?" he questioned, adding, "Everyone I call says 'wait, let's check.' Then the phone doesn't connect or shows busy. Not a single person gives a normal answer or explains the reason. What their troubles are, what they want, is unknown."

This incident is not Araz Aliyev's first encounter with state pressure. He was previously arrested in December 2023, shortly after the Third Republic Platform was announced, and sentenced to 25 days of administrative arrest on charges of minor hooliganism and disobeying a lawful police order. Aliyev, who was released on January 17 last year, vehemently denied these charges, stating that they were false and that he was violently apprehended on the street. He claimed he was questioned about the organization's finances and activities during his detention. Following his arrest, he was also dismissed from his teaching position at Baku State University.

The Third Republic Platform itself was established in December 2023 by civil society members ahead of a snap presidential election. Several other members of the platform have also faced arrests. Akif Gurbanov, head of the Institute of Democratic Initiatives and spokesperson for the Third Republic Platform, was arrested in March 2024 as part of the "Toplum TV case." Another platform member, Ruslan Izzatli, is also in custody under the same case. While these individuals are officially accused of smuggling, they and their supporters consider the charges politically motivated. Azerbaijani officials, however, deny the existence of political arrests in the country.

As of the time of this report, neither the Ministry of Internal Affairs nor other official bodies have provided any comment or explanation regarding the travel ban imposed on Araz Aliyev.