Prominent Azerbaijani opposition politician Tofig Yagublu has been sentenced to nine years in prison by the Baku Serious Crimes Court on charges of “fraud resulting in substantial harm”. A member of the National Council of Democrat Forces and Musavat Party, he was arrested in December 2023 and was also charged with using forged documents. During the trial, Yagublu insisted his arrest was politically motivated. His co-defendant, Elnur Mamedov, who provided incriminating testimony, was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Reacting to the sentencing of Tofig Yagublu, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, said: “Tofig Yagublu’s sentencing is yet another grim milestone in Azerbaijan’s ongoing campaign to silence those who dare to criticize the government. His trial on politically motivated charges was marred by due process concerns.”
According to a statement by Amnesty Internatiuonal, Tofig Yagublu’s sentencing is yet another grim milestone in Azerbaijan’s ongoing campaign to silence those who dare to criticize the government. Marie Struthers stated: “This is not an isolated case but a part of systematic crackdown on political opposition, independent media and civil society in Azerbaijan. The country’s authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Tofig Yagublu and cease their relentless persecution of peaceful activists.The international community, which has long tolerated Azerbaijan’s repression in favour of geopolitical and economic interests, must take a firm and principled stand against these human rights violations.”
Tofig Yagublu was arrested on 14 December 2023, and his trial, which began on 14 June 2024, has been widely condemned for its lack of due process according to Amnesty International, with the prosecution relying solely on the testimony of a victim, disregarding all the arguments of the defence, including allegations of due process violations.
Yagublu has long been a target of Azerbaijani authorities due to his criticism of government corruption and human rights violations. He has been jailed multiple times on politically motivated charges. His sentencing follows a one-and-a-half year-long escalation of events in the country, including the recent imprisonment of other opposition activists and journalists on what Amnesty describes as “similarly baseless charges”.
