The Popular Front Party (PFPA) reported pressure on Ali Karimli in an Azerbaijani pretrial detention center.
Opposition politician Ali Karimli, who is being held in Azerbaijan, has announced that his telephone rights have been restricted. According to his associates, this occurred after France24 published a written interview.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on November 29, 2025, State Security Service officers detained Ali Karimli and his advisor, Mammad Ibrahim, a member of the PFPA presidium. Both opposition figures were arrested for two and a half months, until February 13. Karimli was charged under Article 278.1 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan (actions aimed at the violent seizure of power or the violent change of the constitutional order of the state). He denied the charge and called his criminal case political persecution. On February 9, the arrests of Karimli and Ibrahim were extended for another four months, and on June 10, for another five months.
PFPA Chairman Ali Karimli is under pressure in the State Security Service pretrial detention facility, the opposition organization's press service reported.
Karimli made this statement on June 16 at a hearing of the Baku Court of Appeal, where his appeal against the extension of his pretrial detention was being considered. Specifically, as stated in the PFPA press release, after Karimli's interview was published in international media, including on the France 24 television channel, he was deprived of the right to telephone conversations with his family. Specifically, he was unable to exercise his right to a telephone conversation twice in a row.
It should be noted that France 24 broadcast an interview with PFPA leader Ali Karimli on June 10. In the interview, he stated that the charges against him for "attempting a coup" are fabricated and politically motivated. He claims he is being persecuted because of his long-standing opposition activities "against the Aliyev regime" and considers himself a "prisoner of conscience." Ke also expresses fears for his life in prison, citing the deaths of other political prisoners, and admits the possibility of political assassination if something happens to him.
He rejects comparisons with Alexei Navalny, but acknowledges that he is often perceived as a symbol of opposition resistance, and in this context, journalists compare him to Navalny. Kerimli also criticizes Europe's cautious stance, believing that it does not sufficiently support democratic forces in Azerbaijan due to energy and geopolitical interests.
"Although my detention conditions were harsh from the very beginning, after the publication of my interview on France 24, they were further tightened. Depriving me of the opportunity to contact my family by phone is intended to prevent me from dictating my notes.
On February 12, the State Security Service of Azerbaijan announced the uncovering of a conspiracy against the government involving former head of the presidential administration Ramiz Mehdiyev and Popular Front Party leader Ali Karimli. According to the SSS, Mehdiyev, Karimli, Popular Front Party member Mammad Ibrahim, and others conspired to violently seize power and change the constitutional order. Mehdiyev's assistant, Eldar Amirov, was allegedly involved in the transfer of documents and contacts with foreign entities. The investigation also alleges funding and coordination through Azerbaijani diaspora organizations abroad with the aim of destabilizing the situation in the country, including during the 2013 elections.
A Baku lawyer, speaking with a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, noted that individuals in pretrial detention have the right to telephone conversations with loved ones twice a week for 15 minutes and one visit of 30 minutes. "Restrictions on these rights must be officially justified. But, as a rule, defendants can be deprived of the right to conversations and visits arbitrarily," said the expert, who wished to remain anonymous.
It is worth noting that, based on Ali Karimli's notes, an article was published in the French newspaper Le Monde on May 13 in which the opposition figure analyzes recent events in the South Caucasus and EU policy towards the region. According to Karimli, the Azerbaijani government's "repressive policies" make the country's European integration impossible. He believes the EU should initiate dialogue with the authorities and clearly link cooperation in the oil and gas sector to respect for human rights. He proposes preparing a roadmap for democratic transition before the European Political Community summit in Baku in 2028, which would ensure the release of political prisoners, the restoration of freedom of media and assembly, and the creation of conditions for free elections.