The ECHR requested data from Azerbaijan regarding Ali Kerimli's health status.
The ECHR requested data from Azerbaijan regarding Ali Kerimli's health status.
September 4, 2026.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) requested the authorities of Azerbaijan to provide information about the health status and conditions of detention of the chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Ali Kerimli. The request is related to a complaint from his defense about the deterioration of the politician's detention conditions and possible risks to his health.
The European Court of Human Rights asked the authorities of Azerbaijan to provide information about the health status and conditions of detention of the chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Ali Kerimli. The request is related to a complaint from his defense about the deterioration of the politician's detention conditions and possible risks to his health.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the prison administration did not provide the leader of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Ali Kerimli, with a medical examination, he is being held in poor sanitary conditions, and his access to drinking water is limited, stated the International Human Rights Society. Human rights defenders called on the authorities of Azerbaijan to stop the criminal prosecution of the oppositionist and release him.
On November 29, 2025, employees of the State Security Service detained the leader of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), Ali Kerimli, and his advisor – a member of the party's presidium, Mamed Ibrahim. Both oppositionists were arrested. Kerimli is accused 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 rejected the accusation and called his criminal case political persecution.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) requested the government of Azerbaijan to provide information about the health status and conditions of detention of the APFP chairman, Ali Kerimli.
The request was made in response to a statement submitted earlier this week by defenders representing the interests of 61-year-old Kerimli - lawyer Kian Murphy from the British organization Doughty Street Chambers together with Azerbaijani human rights lawyer Emin Abbasov.
In the last three months, the conditions of Mr. Kerimli's detention have significantly deteriorated after an interview with France 24, published on June 10, 2026, according to a message received by the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" from the Doughty Street Chambers organization.
As noted in the release, Kerimli "has no access to drinking water, is exposed to extreme heat, is deprived of clean clothing and sufficient food, is held in a cell with garbage, infested with pests, is subjected to measures leading to sleep deprivation," and is also "deprived of any meaningful activity or the opportunity to exercise."
Access for family members and lawyers to Kerimli has also been significantly restricted.
Earlier, the message continues, the European Court of Human Rights had already established that Azerbaijan violated Kerimli's rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights. In particular, last year the Strasbourg court found a violation of his right to freedom of assembly in connection with his political activities.
As part of the current proceedings, the ECHR requested the authorities of Azerbaijan to provide detailed information about Kerimli's conditions of detention by September 10. In particular, the court is interested in whether he is provided with drinking water and food, whether his family can send him food, and whether he is subjected to systematic sleep deprivation due to nighttime noise. In addition, the ECHR requested information about the politician's health status and documents confirming the conditions of his detention and health status.
After that, Kerimli's legal team will have the opportunity to present their comments regarding the provided information before the European Court resumes consideration of the request for interim measures.
The British organization Doughty Street Chambers stated that it will continue to closely monitor this case, as well as the broader human rights situation in Azerbaijan, and directly expresses concern to the government of Azerbaijan regarding the protection of fundamental freedoms.
"The case of Kerimli, along with the cases of other detainees in Azerbaijan, raises important issues related to the criminalization of political activity, restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, as well as access to justice for political prisoners and conditions of detention in a member state of the Council of Europe," the British organization's statement concludes.
Baku lawyer, commenting on the ECHR's request regarding Kerimli's case, expressed the opinion that it was made "within the framework of the interim measures procedure under Rule 39 of the Court's Regulations."
"This procedure is applied in situations where there is an immediate risk of causing irreparable harm to the applicant, including in connection with threats to his life or health in the place of detention," explained the lawyer, who wished to remain unnamed.
According to him, the ECHR's request puts the Azerbaijani authorities in a situation where they need to provide substantive answers to each of the circumstances indicated by the court.
"If the defense's claims are confirmed, the state must show what effective measures are being taken to eliminate the relevant risks. The mere fact of detaining a person does not relieve the state of the obligation to provide him with safe and proper conditions of detention. The further development of the case will depend not only on the content of the Azerbaijani authorities' response but also on how well their arguments are supported by documents and whether they dispel doubts about the health status and conditions of detention of Ali Kerimli. After receiving this information, the defense will be able to present its comments, after which the ECHR will continue to consider the issue of interim measures. Therefore, the state needs to not only formally respond to the Court's request but also demonstrate that it is indeed taking specific and effective measures to protect the applicant from possible irreparable harm. If the authorities do not provide convincing arguments and evidence that necessary measures are being taken, the ECHR may apply interim measures and instruct the state on specific actions needed to prevent the risk of irreparable harm," the lawyer noted.
According to him, this may involve improving detention conditions, providing necessary medical assistance, eliminating factors threatening his health, or, if other measures prove insufficient, changing the conditions or place of detention. At the same time, Rule 39 does not in itself imply an automatic requirement for the release of a person from custody.
"The specific measure is determined based on the nature and degree of the established risk," the lawyer concluded.
"Caucasian Knot" currently does not have comments from the investigative authority and the detention center of the State Security Service of Azerbaijan.