Azerbaijani activist Kenan Ismail has been arrested for 30 days.
Activist of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Kenan Ismail has been arrested for 30 days on an administrative case of disobedience to the police. His associates believe the accusation is fabricated and politically motivated.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", activists of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) are regularly subjected to administrative arrests. For instance, in June, activist Anar Guseynov was arrested for 30 days under the article on disobedience to the police. The party considered this accusation fabricated.
Member of the Khatai district branch of the APFP Kenan Ismail stopped communicating on the evening of July 22. The fate of the activist was clarified only today, the head of the Khatai district branch of the APFP Faig Nagiev told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".
"Kenan Ismail literally disappeared on the evening of July 22, we could not establish his whereabouts. Only today it became known that by the decision of the Nizami District Court of Baku he was arrested for 30 days. The court today found him guilty of disobeying lawful demands of the police (Article 535.1 of the Administrative Offenses Code of Azerbaijan)," Nagiev said.
Associates have not yet managed to clarify the details of the case. "It is obvious that Kenan Ismail was arrested on a fabricated administrative charge. He has previously been subjected to arrests for his opposition activities," Nagiev said.
In May, member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Kenan Ismail was sentenced to administrative arrest for petty hooliganism. His party members considered his persecution politically motivated.
Other associates of Ismail are also outraged by his arrest. "In Azerbaijan, people who dare to have a different opinion, criticize what is happening, or take an opposition position are increasingly coming under pressure. The scenario repeats: a person suddenly disappears, relatives and friends remain in anxiety and uncertainty for days, and then it becomes known about his detention and the charges against him. No society can move forward if fear and pressure become tools of governance. Respect for the law, transparent investigation, and a fair trial should not be a privilege, but an inalienable right of every citizen," wrote APFP member Orkhan Bakhysh on his Facebook page.
An employee of the Nizami District Court confirmed to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" the information about Ismail's arrest for 30 days. It was not possible to obtain comments from the Ministry of Internal Affairs for "Caucasian Knot".
In 2025, Azerbaijani authorities intensified repression against the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, culminating in the arrests of Ali Kerimli and his closest associates. By the end of January 2026, 20 members of the APFP were in custody on fabricated criminal cases, as representatives of the party believe.