Azerbaijani "Muslim Unity" Leader's Sentence Conditions Stricter

Taleh Bagirzade

July 24, 2025

The penal regime for Taleh Bagirzade, a Shiite theologian and leader of the Muslim Unity Movement (MUM) in Azerbaijan, has been tightened. His relatives believe that Bagirzade was punished for protesting against the conditions of prisoners' detention.

Taleh Bagirzade was arrested along with a group of his supporters during a special police operation in Nardaran, a Baku suburb known for its strong religious traditions.

He was accused of attempting to violently seize power, terrorism, illegal arms trafficking, involvement in the premeditated murder of security forces during the special operation, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Local human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner. In February 2025, the ECHR ruled that Bagirzade's pre-trial detention was unlawful and ordered him to be paid €3,900 in compensation for moral damages and an additional €500 for legal costs.

Taleh Bagirzade has been transferred from Correctional Facility No. 12 to a closed-type prison within the "Umbaqi" penitentiary complex, where he will continue to serve his sentence.

The Garadagh District Court made this decision on July 18, following a submission from the administration of Correctional Facility No. 12, according to the theologian's relatives.

According to the same source, Bagirzade was punished for protesting against the conditions of prisoners' detention.

A month ago, a roof collapsed in the colony, killing one inmate. After this incident, the damaged premises were closed, and some prisoners were transferred to another colony.

However, most prisoners were placed in other blocks of Correctional Facility No. 12. "This led to overcrowding. For example, in a block designed for 200 people, the number of prisoners increased to 400-500," said a relative of Bagirzade.

According to him, the theologian was also outraged by the administration's inaction after the roof collapse in the barracks. Due to the doors not being opened in time, a stampede occurred, injuring many prisoners.

Because the prisoners began protesting against this treatment, they were lined up twice a day in the colony yard in hot weather. Bagirzade refused to participate in the formation and demanded the transfer of convicts to another facility so that the buildings in the colony could be repaired. For this, he was placed in a solitary confinement cell, first for 3 days, then for 5, and then for 12 days. In total, he spent over a month in the punitive cell, and now he has been transferred to a closed prison, the source continued.

He emphasized that the conditions in the closed prison are harsh, with less frequent visits and phone calls with relatives, and prisoners are held in single or double cells. "The goal is to maximize Taleh's isolation from other prisoners," said the theologian's relative.

Comments from the Penitentiary Service could not be obtained.