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Activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev's appeal heard by Azerbaijan Supreme Court. Defense demands acquittal, citing charges based on illegal anonymous emails (coup allegations). Decision postponed; next session scheduled for November 18.

Labor activist Afiaddin Mammadov, sentenced to 8 years, reveals the harsh reality of prison: "We must continue the struggle here." He details the awful state of political prisoners, lack of medical care, and finding that allies have "completely different" goals.

Azerbaijan's anti-corruption sweep targets local government. The Deputy Head of Garadagh and the Head of Balakan were arrested on charges of large-scale bribery and embezzlement. Get the full details on the ongoing investigations and crackdown on official misconduct.

Journalist Ulviyya Ali, detained in the Meydan TV case, was denied lawyer access after objecting to a search. Her family alleges retaliation from the detention center head. This incident highlights the crackdown on press freedom in Azerbaijan, where over 30 journalists face politically motivated charges.

Toplum TV Case: Witnesses allege their statements were obtained under pressure at the Baku Grave Crimes Court. Defendants, including Ruslan Izzetli and Akif Gurbanov, protest Judge Azer Tagiyev's conduct, citing bias and violation of the presumption of innocence in this politically charged trial. The 10 activists face up to 12 years.

RSF names Ilham Aliyev and Bidzina Ivanishvili among 34 Press Freedom Predators in 2025. Discover how these global figures use imprisonment and propaganda to silence free media.

Public activist Vafa Naghi's father was attacked in Neftchala due to Naghi's work exposing a serious crime. The victim is ill; an official investigation is underway. Read the details.

Jailed Abzas Media journalist Hafiz Babaly protests the illegal blocking of his disability pension account, demanding access to his sole livelihood. The case involves 7 journalists convicted in Azerbaijan for their work.

Jailed Azerbaijani journalist Farid Mehdralizade (Abzas Media) wins the US National Press Club's John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award 2025. The award honors his courage and highlights the plight of USAGM-linked reporters imprisoned abroad. US Congressman calls for his and his wife's release. Read the full story.

High-profile arrest in Baku: Ramiz Mehdiyev's assistant, Eldar Amirov, has been detained for 4 months on charges of high treason and preparing a coup d'état, linked to the former Presidential Administration head's criminal case.

Samia Suluhu Hassan secured a disputed 97% victory in Tanzania's election. The win follows the barring of key opposition candidates and has triggered deadly protests. Reports cite hundreds of deaths and international concern over excessive force and human rights abuses.

Armenia's Investigative Committee has started a criminal case about the release of what is said to be sex tapes of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Prosecutor threatens witness in court. Charges called political & fabricated.

On October 31, Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis (parliament) changed the law On Lawyers and Advocacy. The new rules mean the head of the Bar Association can now be elected for more than two terms.

The US Senate moves to recognize Oct 30 as International Day of Political Prisoners, denouncing oppression globally. Meanwhile, former President Trump orders the military to resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time since 1992, citing competition with Russia and China.

Azerbaijan claims BBC Azerbaijan staff are working illegally after their office was ordered to close. Pro-government APA, citing the Media Development Agency, reports that ex-BBC employees continue journalistic work without accreditation, calling it a serious legal violation. The BBC previously called the closure a restriction on press freedom.

Pro-government TV channel POSTV in Georgia seemingly reported the arrests of anti-government figures before they occurred. The premature details were quickly removed, but the individuals were later arrested, raising suspicions about the TV station's prior awareness of the police targets. The Georgian Orthodox Church dismissed Archimandrite Dorote Kurashvili, a priest known for criticizing the government, from his parish in Tbilisi. Kurashvili believes the dismissal was orches

Anar Mammadli appeals to the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, demanding Azerbaijan execute the 2018 ECHR judgment in his case. Held for over 540 days, he argues the persistent non-compliance undermines the authority of the Strasbourg system and sets a dangerous precedent for human rights in Europe.

PACE & OSCE PA call for the release of political prisoners on International Day, highlighting cases across the post-Soviet space, including Azerbaijan (Ulvi Hasanli) and Belarus (Ales Bialiatski). Demand an end to politically motivated persecution.

Azerbaijan's State Security Service (SSS) raided Hürriyet newspaper offices and arrested Editor-in-Chief Vugar Mammadov on October 30. The operation is rumored to be linked to the case of ex-Presidential Administration head Ramiz Mehdiyev, who faces serious charges and is under house arrest.