Azerbaijan jails journalist for six years amid claims of police abuse
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 21 March 2026 | JP Global Monitoring
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Azerbaijan sentenced independent journalist Ahmad Mammadli to six years in prison on March 19, 2026, on hooliganism and causing serious bodily harm charges that his supporters say were fabricated. He alleges he was beaten, electrocuted and coerced while in police custody and plans to appeal.Summary
BAKU—Azerbaijan sentenced journalist Ahmad Mammadli to six years in prison on March 19, 2026, on charges of hooliganism and causing serious bodily harm, amid allegations that the case was fabricated in retaliation for his work with independent outlet Yoldash Media. Human rights advocates report that Mammadli suffered severe mistreatment while in police custody.
Mammadli denied the charges, saying the accusations stemmed from a May 2025 incident in which he was allegedly attacked by police after a dispute in a shared taxi. He plans to appeal the conviction.
Police allegations and disputed evidence raise concerns
According to publicly available court filings and copies of the indictment, police claimed Mammadli stabbed a man during the taxi incident. Mammadli maintained that one passenger, believed to be a police agent, forced the vehicle to stop and attacked him. He said officers then planted a knife, staged the scene, and arrested him. At the police station, he reported being beaten unconscious, having a tooth knocked out with a baseball bat, and being repeatedly electrocuted to coerce his phone password.
Observers point to patterns of repression
Zafar Ahmadov, a human rights defender who attended the trial, noted that Mammadli’s fingerprints were absent on the knife and no witnesses confirmed the stabbing. CPJ highlights that the case resembles previous prosecutions against government critics based on dubious stabbing allegations. Mammadli had been among the last independent journalists covering political trials in Azerbaijan.
High number of journalists jailed signals media crackdown
In its latest prison census, the Committee to Protect Journalists ranked Azerbaijan as the sixth-worst jailer of journalists globally, with at least 24 reporters imprisoned for their work. Mammadli’s arrest coincided with the detention of Ulviyya Ali, another prominent journalist reporting on the same issues. CPJ contacted Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs for comment but received no reply.
WHY THIS MATTERS: The Mammadli case underscores the escalating risks for independent journalists in authoritarian contexts. Pakistani media professionals can learn the importance of documenting legal proceedings, preparing robust defenses, and maintaining international visibility when facing politically motivated prosecutions. It also highlights the need for newsrooms to have protocols for staff safety in environments with aggressive state interference.
ATTRIBUTION: Information cited from publicly available reporting by the Committee to Protect Journalists (March 19, 2026) and publicly available court filings dated March 19, 2026.
PHOTO: By Elmaddin Shamilzade
Key Points
- Ahmad Mammadli was sentenced to six years on charges of hooliganism and causing serious bodily harm.
- Supporters and colleagues say the case was fabricated in retaliation for his work with independent outlet Yoldash Media.
- Mammadli alleges severe mistreatment in custody, including beatings, a lost tooth and repeated electrocutions to force access to his phone.
- Court filings show disputed evidence: no fingerprints on the knife and no witnesses confirmed the alleged stabbing.
- Human rights observers say the prosecution fits a pattern of repression against government critics; Mammadli intends to appeal.
Key Questions & Answers
Why was Ahmad Mammadli sentenced?
He was convicted on hooliganism and causing serious bodily harm charges; Mammadli denies the accusations and says they were fabricated in retaliation for his reporting.
What abuse does he allege occurred in custody?
Mammadli reported being beaten unconscious, having a tooth knocked out and being repeatedly electrocuted to coerce his phone PIN.
Is there disputed evidence in the case?
Observers note the absence of Mammadli's fingerprints on the knife and a lack of witness confirmation of the alleged stabbing.
What have rights groups said about the trial?
Human rights and press freedom groups say the case resembles past prosecutions of critics and call for independent scrutiny of the proceedings.
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