Peace activist Bahruz Samadov's Legal Fight: Motions Denied, Imprisonment Continues

Bahruz Samadov

The legal situation for Bahruz Samadov, a well-known peace advocate and doctoral student at Charles University in Prague, took a bad turn at a recent hearing at the Baku Court of Appeal on January 22. Judge Murad Mammadov led the hearing, which dealt with Samadov’s appeal against his transfer from Prison No. 11 to the high-security Umbakı Penitentiary Complex. Since December 1, 2024, the scholar has been under a strict regime for a year. His family and legal team say this is hard on him, both physically and mentally.

During the session, Samadov spoke to the court himself, explaining how his time in detention has hurt his mental health. He said he has tried to kill himself twice while locked up and asked for a psychological checkup. He also wanted Shakir Ganiyev, the prison head, to testify. Samadov’s lawyer, Zibeyda Sadigova, backed him up by asking the court to show surveillance video from when he was first searched. She said it would reveal unfair procedures. She also wanted the officers who wrote his violation reports to be questioned. But the court said no to all these requests, refusing to let the defense look into the disciplinary actions against him.

Besides his prison conditions, Samadov is also struggling to support his 82-year-old grandmother, Zibeyda Osmanova, who is his only family. The court has not allowed Samadov to give his grandmother power of attorney over his bank account. The money in the account, from his parents' house sale, was meant to pay for her basic needs. Friends say Samadov is upset that his grandmother has to live on her small pension and help from relatives while his money is stuck. Zibeyda Osmanova said it is hard for her to travel to the Umbakı facility because she is old and not in good health.

Bahruz Samadov’s problems started on August 21, 2024, when the State Security Service detained him. He has always said he is innocent and is committed to peace and helping people. On June 23, 2025, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for high treason. The government claims he worked with Armenian intelligence, but Samadov denies this. He says his work has always been about saving lives and bringing countries together. The court has stopped the case until January 29 to let Samadov prepare his final statement. The case is getting international attention because of the situation academics and peace supporters are facing in the area.Bahruz Samadov