Amnesty appeals for Samadov’s release
Amnesty International sent a formal appeal to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev regarding Bahruz Samadov, a 31-year-old researcher and OC Media contributor. Samadov serves a 15-year prison sentence for high treason, a charge he denies. Amnesty claims his imprisonment is arbitrary and stems from his peaceful activism, his advocacy for dialogue with Armenia, and his criticism of the expulsion of the ethnic Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh. His writings in OC Media, EurasiaNet, and OpenDemocracy focused on human rights protection and peaceful solutions to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. I find the prosecution’s total lack of credible evidence to be a blatant attempt to criminalize peaceful dissent. Amnesty International called for the immediate and unconditional release of Samadov and demanded that the Azerbaijani government end his solitary confinement and ensure he receives the urgent medical care he requires to address his deteriorating health. The organization claims his prosecution is politically motivated, with no credible evidence of any crime ever publicly presented, and urged Aliyev to conduct an effective investigation into this unfounded prosecution.
Harsh conditions and self-harm
The researcher Samadov attempted to take his own life twice while in detention in Azerbaijan. He spent two months in solitary confinement as a punitive measure and faced confinement in a dark, cramped cell without yard access. The organization reported that he was denied his prescribed medications for more than a month and refused ophthalmological care despite a significant deterioration in his eyesight. His doctor reportedly attributed the deterioration in his vision to his detention conditions. He also faced deliberate isolation during various court hearings. Zibeyda Sadigova, Samadov’s lawyer, confirmed to OC Media that he cut his arm with a sharp object during a hearing after his appeals were refused. He told the court, "When words run out, you have to speak with blood." Amnesty claims these circumstances may amount to torture, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Amrah Tamazov, a friend of Samadov, said a government human rights representative visited him in early October. This official performed a cursory check and took a photo to show he is alive. Tamazov said the visit was just so they could say, "Don’t worry, we’re visiting, he’s alive, he’s fine."
