The detention of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadygov has been officially confirmed, according to Tamta Mikeladze, Director of the Social Justice Center. As the human rights defender wrote on social media, “Azerbaijan and Georgia acted with malicious intent, contrary to their obligations under international conventions, and this will inevitably lead to an extremely harsh ruling by the European Court.”
“(Sadygov’s arrest was confirmed) in connection with the same case on the basis of which Azerbaijan demanded his extradition to Baku, which was clearly fabricated and bore signs of political persecution of the journalist; the investigation and criminal prosecution were resumed allegedly following the victim’s appeal to the court.
I would like to remind you that in early April, Azerbaijan’s official position was that the investigation and prosecution of the journalist in this case had been terminated, and consequently, the extradition request was also withdrawn, as there were no longer any legal grounds for it. However, 65 days after his deportation to Azerbaijan, he was detained again in connection with the same case and on the same grounds. This clearly shows that the entire process was a pre-planned, coordinated, and fabricated special operation, in which the “Georgian Dream” regime also openly participated.
I would also like to remind you that previously, in connection with this case, Afgan Sadygov was repeatedly stopped by the Azerbaijani police, and each time he was assured that it was merely a technical issue and that the reason for the detentions was the need to update database records. What awaits Afgan Sadygov now in prison, where conditions are extremely harsh and the treatment of political prisoners is even more cruel and inhumane? How many years will he have to spend behind bars? What fate awaits his family, who are in exile in Europe and left completely alone?
Azerbaijan did not even want to wait for the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights and, just two months later, arrested the journalist again in connection with the same case and on the same grounds.
The case of Afgan Sadygov has long gone beyond the individual story of a single journalist. It is a test of how effectively or ineffectively the international human rights protection system works in a situation where two states act simultaneously in the interests of political persecution and the restriction of fundamental rights, resorting to transnational repression.
I do not know what to wish the Sadygov family, other than resilience and keeping faith in the course of history. To believe that dictators sooner or later go,” wrote Tamta Mikeladze.
