“The Georgian government forcibly returned Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadygov to Azerbaijan, exposing him to a real risk of politically motivated persecution and ill-treatment,” reads a statement by the international organization Human Rights Watch (HRW). According to the NGO, such actions call into question the good faith of both governments regarding their obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
“This deportation should not have taken place, and the manner in which it was carried out is particularly alarming. Georgian authorities returned Sadygov to a country where he faces a real risk of persecution without a proper assessment of that risk and through an expedited procedure, which raises serious concerns about fairness,” the statement says.
Human Rights Watch specifies that the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs attempted to justify the expulsion by citing Sadygov’s alleged involvement in administrative offenses and security concerns raised by Azerbaijani counterparts. The Ministry argued that the European Court’s interim measures apply to extradition only in the context of criminal prosecution, which Azerbaijan had terminated.
“However, the Social Justice Center, representing Sadygov, stated that interim measures are binding and remain in force until they are revoked by the court itself. Both Azerbaijan and Georgia are parties to the European Convention on Human Rights and are legally obligated to comply with the court’s decisions,” the statement notes.
Human Rights Watch also reports that on April 6, law enforcement agencies in Azerbaijan detained Sadygov without explanation and took him to a police station, where he was held for about 40 minutes. He was later informed that the purpose was to remove him from the wanted list and take his fingerprints, after which he was released.
“The circumstances of Sadygov’s expulsion raise serious concerns that Georgian authorities may have acted in bad faith and colluded with Azerbaijani officials to avoid fulfilling their obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Council of Europe member states must investigate Georgia’s actions and ensure accountability for any violations of obligations. These obligations include an absolute prohibition on returning an individual if they are threatened with persecution, torture, or serious human rights violations. They also include guarantees of due process—the right to a fair hearing, effective legal remedies, and compliance with interim measures. Georgia must also investigate the circumstances of Sadygov’s deportation and ensure full compliance with its human rights obligations,” the Human Rights Watch statement reads.
