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Famil Khalilov
Blogger, disabled human rights activist
Large-scale drug trafficking, Article 234.4.3 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan
2024-05-04
Occupation:
Charges:
Arested:
Status:
Khalilov is an Azerbaijani civic activist known for his outspoken criticism of the government, particularly through social media platforms. Born on July 14, 1990, in Shirvan, Azerbaijan, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy following a birth injury, resulting in permanent disability affecting both arms.
Background and Activism:
In 2015, seeking better opportunities, Khalilov and his family relocated to Sweden. Despite efforts to obtain residency, their applications were denied, leading to their deportation back to Azerbaijan in July 2023. citeturn0search3 Upon returning, Khalilov continued his activism, using his feet to operate a computer due to his physical limitations. He frequently posted content criticizing the Azerbaijani government on social media.
Legal Issues:
On May 2, 2024, Khalilov was arrested on charges of drug possession with intent to sell, specifically 13 grams of methamphetamine allegedly found during his arrest. He denied these allegations, asserting that the drugs were planted due to his activism. His wife, Kichikkhanim Khalilova, supported this claim, stating that their household never possessed such substances.
Throughout his detention, Khalilov's health deteriorated, leading to multiple hunger strikes to protest his treatment. His condition drew attention from human rights organizations, which condemned his arrest as politically motivated and called for his release.
Recent Developments:
On February 6, 2025, after months of legal proceedings, the Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced Khalilov to three years of conditional imprisonment, with a two-year probation period. The charges were modified from possession with intent to sell to simple possession. Despite this reduction, Khalilov and his supporters maintain that the charges were unfounded and driven by his political activities.
As of April 2025, Famil Khalilov remains a significant figure in discussions about freedom of expression and human rights in Azerbaijan, with ongoing debates about the fairness of his trial and the legitimacy of the charges against him.
Khalilov is an Azerbaijani civic activist known for his outspoken criticism of the government, particularly through social media platforms. Born on July 14, 1990, in Shirvan, Azerbaijan, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy following a birth injury, resulting in permanent disability affecting both arms.
Background and Activism:
In 2015, seeking better opportunities, Khalilov and his family relocated to Sweden. Despite efforts to obtain residency, their applications were denied, leading to their deportation back to Azerbaijan in July 2023. citeturn0search3 Upon returning, Khalilov continued his activism, using his feet to operate a computer due to his physical limitations. He frequently posted content criticizing the Azerbaijani government on social media.
Legal Issues:
On May 2, 2024, Khalilov was arrested on charges of drug possession with intent to sell, specifically 13 grams of methamphetamine allegedly found during his arrest. He denied these allegations, asserting that the drugs were planted due to his activism. His wife, Kichikkhanim Khalilova, supported this claim, stating that their household never possessed such substances.
Throughout his detention, Khalilov's health deteriorated, leading to multiple hunger strikes to protest his treatment. His condition drew attention from human rights organizations, which condemned his arrest as politically motivated and called for his release.
Recent Developments:
On February 6, 2025, after months of legal proceedings, the Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced Khalilov to three years of conditional imprisonment, with a two-year probation period. The charges were modified from possession with intent to sell to simple possession. Despite this reduction, Khalilov and his supporters maintain that the charges were unfounded and driven by his political activities.
As of April 2025, Famil Khalilov remains a significant figure in discussions about freedom of expression and human rights in Azerbaijan, with ongoing debates about the fairness of his trial and the legitimacy of the charges against him.
Famil Khalilov
Blogger, disabled human rights activist
Large-scale drug trafficking, Article 234.4.3 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan
2024-05-04
Occupation:
Charges:
Arested:
Status:
Khalilov is an Azerbaijani civic activist known for his outspoken criticism of the government, particularly through social media platforms. Born on July 14, 1990, in Shirvan, Azerbaijan, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy following a birth injury, resulting in permanent disability affecting both arms.
Background and Activism:
In 2015, seeking better opportunities, Khalilov and his family relocated to Sweden. Despite efforts to obtain residency, their applications were denied, leading to their deportation back to Azerbaijan in July 2023. citeturn0search3 Upon returning, Khalilov continued his activism, using his feet to operate a computer due to his physical limitations. He frequently posted content criticizing the Azerbaijani government on social media.
Legal Issues:
On May 2, 2024, Khalilov was arrested on charges of drug possession with intent to sell, specifically 13 grams of methamphetamine allegedly found during his arrest. He denied these allegations, asserting that the drugs were planted due to his activism. His wife, Kichikkhanim Khalilova, supported this claim, stating that their household never possessed such substances.
Throughout his detention, Khalilov's health deteriorated, leading to multiple hunger strikes to protest his treatment. His condition drew attention from human rights organizations, which condemned his arrest as politically motivated and called for his release.
Recent Developments:
On February 6, 2025, after months of legal proceedings, the Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced Khalilov to three years of conditional imprisonment, with a two-year probation period. The charges were modified from possession with intent to sell to simple possession. Despite this reduction, Khalilov and his supporters maintain that the charges were unfounded and driven by his political activities.
As of April 2025, Famil Khalilov remains a significant figure in discussions about freedom of expression and human rights in Azerbaijan, with ongoing debates about the fairness of his trial and the legitimacy of the charges against him.