The court upheld the sentence of researcher Bahruz Samadov.
The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan upheld the 15-year sentence of political scientist and anti-war activist Bahruz Samadov in the case of treason. In protest against the court's decision, Samadov cut himself during the break. The defense will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the Baku Court of Appeal on February 5 approved the decision to tighten the punishment regime for researcher Bahruz Samadov and transfer him to a closed section of the Umba penitentiary complex. Samadov declared a hunger strike in protest, which he ended on February 10. At the end of March, Samadov informed friends that he was being held in a cramped solitary cell and was effectively deprived of walks, he was not given medication and was deprived of sources of information. In April, Samadov's fiancée, a U.S. citizen, appealed to the President of Azerbaijan to assist in his release. On May 21, the Supreme Court upheld the decision to tighten Samadov's detention regime – transferring him to a closed prison.
29-year-old political scientist and doctoral student at Charles University in Prague Bahruz Samadov was sentenced by a court in Baku to 15 years in prison on charges of treason. The appellate court upheld the sentence. Samadov was detained on August 21, 2024, when he arrived in Azerbaijan for vacation. According to the investigation, he wrote and translated articles at the request of representatives of Armenia. The accusation was based on Bahruz Samadov's correspondence with three women from Armenia. Samadov categorically denied the charge of treason. He is known for his criticism of the Azerbaijani authorities, which he expressed in foreign publications. The defense believes that the reason for his arrest was his "anti-war views".
On September 25, a hearing of the cassation appeal of anti-war activist and researcher Bahruz Samadov took place in the Supreme Court under the chairmanship of Judge Ilkin Abdullayev.
As reported to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" by activist Rustam Ismailbeyli, during the session, Samadov pointed out that international organizations, convinced of his innocence, had repeatedly called for his release, but the Azerbaijani authorities ignored these messages.
Lawyer Zibeyda Sadigova in her speech pointed out that the charge of treason and the materials presented as evidence are controversial. According to the defense, Samadov's communication with foreigners, including individuals of Armenian descent, cannot be regarded as treason. As the lawyer noted, there is a need for substantial evidence that the mentioned individuals are employees of foreign intelligence services, but such documentary evidence was not presented by the prosecution, continued the activist Ismailbeyli's account of the court session.
According to him, during the break in the waiting room for prisoners, Samadov cut his hand in protest against the "unjust court".
"After the break, Bahruz said in court that he had "nothing more to say to the court," as he had spoken, written, and defended himself at the hearings, but all these efforts were in vain. Bahruz's psychological state is concerning. Nevertheless, the judges upheld the sentence. Now the defense will appeal to the ECHR," said Ismailbeyli.
According to him, in connection with Samadov's self-inflicted injury, an ambulance was called to the court.
However, the activist said he did not have information about Samadov's condition after the hearing.
Lawyer Zibeyda Sadigova was unavailable for comment.
An employee of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan confirmed to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" that Samadov's complaint was considered on the merits of the case. However, he did not confirm the information about Samadov's self-inflicted injury, referring to the fact that he had "no such information".
Representatives of the prosecution were unavailable for comment.