In Azerbaijan, Relatives Concerned About the Fate of Imprisoned Opposition Member

Sahib Mamedzade

Relatives of Azerbaijani opposition member Sahib Mamedzade, who is currently imprisoned, are worried about his fate as he has not called from the penitentiary facility for a week. They fear that the opposition figure might have been placed in solitary confinement.

Mamedzade, the head of the Dashkesan district branch of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was convicted in a drug-related case. His relatives report that he has not contacted them from prison for a week.

According to them, following an appellate court decision that reduced his sentence, he was not transferred to a standard prison colony but was instead placed in a penitentiary complex in the settlement of Umbaki.

"Conditions in this facility are harsh. Inmates are only allowed outside for two hours a day. Some time ago, a provocateur was placed in the same cell with Sahib, attempting to draw him into a conflict. After the appellate court decision, Sahib was supposed to be sent to a general regime facility, where prisoners can move freely around the colony during the day," said his sister, Tajira Mamedzade.

She said the family fears he may have been placed in solitary confinement.

Attempts to obtain a comment from the Penitentiary Service were unsuccessful.

Sahib Mamedzade was beaten on March 18, 2024, by masked individuals after being stopped at a police checkpoint in the Dashkesan district and was taken to an unknown location. He was later charged with illegal drug trafficking.

On December 10, 2024, Mamedzade was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison. On March 7, an appellate court reduced the sentence to 3.5 years.

Mamedzade denied the charges and claimed that he was being persecuted for sharing videos on social media showing local residents protesting the seizure of pastures by government officials.

Human rights organizations have recognized Mamedzade as a political prisoner.