Azerbaijan : Serious concerns over the ill-treatment of five women journalists detained in politically motivated cases

23 July 2026 - The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (OMCT-FIDH) and the undersigned organisations express their serious concern over credible reports of ill-treatment, intimidation and the denial of adequate medical care affecting five Azerbaijani journalists: Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig), Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva, Aysel Umudova, Khayala Aghayeva and Nargiz Absalamova. Four of the journalists remain arbitrarily detained in connection with the so-called "Meydan TV case", while Nargiz Absalamova is serving an eight-year prison sentence in connection with the "Abzas Media case". These allegations of physical violence, threats of sexual violence, intimidation against detained journalists, together with the continued impunity of those responsible and the denial of essential medical treatment, raise serious concerns about Azerbaijan's compliance with its obligations under domestic and international human rights law.

According to the information received, on 18 February 2026, at approximately 12:00 p.m., a search was conducted in the cell of detained journalists Aysel Umudova, Khayala Aghayeva and Aytaj Ahmadova at the Baku Pre-Trial Detention Facility under the supervision of the facility's deputy head, Javid Gulaliyev. The journalists maintain that the operation was not a routine security measure but was carried out in retaliation for their protest during their hearing before the Baku Grave Crimes Court on 13 February 2026, where they objected to being held inside a glass cage.

The journalists reported that, although they had been informed that the search of a women's cell would be carried out exclusively by female officers, male detention officers also participated in the search. The situation escalated after the journalists objected to the manual inspection of their personal belongings. According to their testimonies, an officer forcibly opened the toilet door despite Aysel Umudova requesting one minute to use the bathroom. She was immediately ordered out and subjected to a personal search.

Meanwhile, Aytaj Ahmadova and Khayala Aghayeva were allegedly verbally abused, had their arms twisted behind their backs, and were forcibly removed from the cell while being pushed forward with their heads bent down. While Aytaj Ahmadova was reportedly taken to the exercise yard, Khayala Aghayeva was taken to another room. Both journalists reportedly sustained injuries during the incident.

The journalists further reported that they were subjected to physical violence, humiliation and psychological abuse in an operation that involved more than twenty detention officers. According to the testimony of the journalists, when they protested against the use of force by the detention officers, Deputy Head of the Baku Pre-Trial Facility Javid Gulaliyev placed his hand across his throat and stated: "I am up to my throat in blood; this is how it should be." They also reported being subjected to repeated verbal abuse throughout the operation.

Of particular concern are allegations that during the incident Mr. Gulaliyev made a sexually explicit remark, stating, "My seeds are everywhere," which the journalists understood as a threat of sexual harassment. The incident reportedly took place in a corridor covered by surveillance cameras and in the presence of numerous detention officers.

Rather than ensuring an effective investigation, the authorities allegedly subjected the journalists to further intimidation. On 26 February 2026, head of the facility Elnur Ismayilov reportedly summoned Aysel Umudova, Khayala Aghayeva and Aytaj Ahmadova to the facility's medical unit and warned them to "be careful about your statements, your writings and your words," adding that otherwise a new criminal case would be initiated against them.

The three journalists subsequently informed the trial court that they had been subjected to violence inside the Baku Pre-Trial Detention Facility and expressed fears for their safety. They also submitted formal complaints to the Prosecutor General's Office, requesting that the surveillance camera footage be secured and examined as evidence. Although the complaints were transferred to the Sabunchu District Prosecutor's Office, the journalists' statements were reportedly not taken until six weeks later. At the time of publication of this statement, no effective investigative decision has been taken. Furthermore, in a written response dated 27 March 2026, the Penitentiary Service summarily rejected the allegations, stating that "no unlawful actions had occurred and that the detainees had not been subjected to pressure or torture," without indicating that any prompt, impartial or effective investigation had been conducted.

The Observatory recalls that between December 2024 and August 2025, Azerbaijani authorities arrested at least 11 journalists, including Ms. Ahmadova, Ms. Guliyeva, Ms. Umudova, and Ms. Aghayeva, from the exiled independent media outlet Meydan TV, who are currently standing trial before the Baku Grave Crimes Court on multiple criminal charges widely regarded as politically motivated and aimed at suppressing independent media in Azerbaijan. Their case is emblematic of Azerbaijan's sweeping crackdown on independent journalism.

The Observatory is further deeply concerned by the continuing deterioration of Aytaj Ahmadova's and Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva’s health in detention.

According to the information received, Aytaj Ahmadova suffers from a deviated nasal septum and chronic breathing difficulties, which have significantly worsened during her prolonged detention. During approximately nineteen months in custody, she has reportedly relied on approximately 80 bottles of nasal spray simply to breathe. Ahmadova remains confined almost continuously inside a small cell at the Baku Pre-Trial Detention Facility, where the high humidity inside the facility reportedly further aggravates her respiratory condition.

Despite the seriousness of her condition, the authorities have  refused to provide her with access to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist or to arrange the necessary specialist examinations and diagnostic imaging (MRI and CT) required to diagnose and treat her condition. Her lawyer submitted a written request to the Main Medical Department of the Ministry of Justice, requesting specialist examinations and diagnostic procedures. However, no written response has reportedly been provided. Instead, the chief doctor reportedly informed her that the Ministry of Justice had no ENT specialist. As a result, Aytaj Ahmadova continues to be denied access to specialist medical care despite her ongoing health condition.

The Observatory is further concerned about the deteriorating health of detained journalist and human rights defender Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva and the authorities' continued failure to ensure access to essential diagnostic examinations and specialist medical care. Guliyeva suffers from several chronic health conditions, including a previously diagnosed pituitary microadenoma requiring annual diagnostic imaging (MRI and CT). Since February 2026, her lawyer has repeatedly requested permission for diagnostic imaging (MRI and CT) at a private medical facility, as the necessary equipment is unavailable within the penitentiary system, but the authorities have failed to grant these requests despite such examinations being guaranteed under domestic laws. Furthermore, on 7 July 2026, Guliyeva reported abnormal uterine bleeding, requiring an urgent gynaecological examination upon the recommendation of her private physician, including an ultrasound, at a private medical facility. At the time of publication of this statement, no medical support has been provided to Guliyeva.

The Observatory is also concerned about the health of detained journalist Nargiz Absalamova, who is currently serving an eight-year prison sentence in connection with the Abzas Media case. Abzas Media is an independent anti-corruption outlet whose six representatives were arrested from November 2023 on widely regarded as fabricated smuggling-related charges, sentenced in June 2025 to up to nine years' imprisonment. All journalists in this case have also reported ill-treatment, inadequate food and medical care, and violence in detention. According to information received, Nargiz Absalamova  has been requesting access to an MRI examination for over six months without success. She has suffered from chronic sinusitis since adolescence and requires further medical examination and treatment due to persistent breathing difficulties and severe headaches. Her condition has also significantly deteriorated following her transfer to the Lankaran Penitentiary Complex, forcing her to rely on nasal decongestant medication (Naphthyzin) every two hours during the night in order to breathe.

Although she was examined by an ENT specialist on 26 May 2026, she was reportedly prescribed only symptomatic medication and was not referred for the requested MRI examination. According to the available information, complaints concerning her medical situation have been submitted to the Penitentiary Service and the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of the Republic of Azerbaijan; however, no response has reportedly been received to date.

The reported physical violence, including sexual harassment, gender–based violence and intimidation against Aysel Umudova, Khayala Aghayeva and Aytaj Ahmadova, together with the authorities' failure to conduct a prompt, impartial and effective investigation, raise serious concerns under Azerbaijan's obligations to prevent and investigate torture and other forms of ill-treatment. The continued refusal to provide Aytaj Ahmadova and Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva and Nargiz Absalamova with timely and adequate specialist medical care further raises concerns under the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment and the State's obligation to safeguard the health of persons deprived of their liberty. Taken together, these allegations appear to reflect a broader pattern of intimidation and punitive treatment of independent journalists detained in connection with politically motivated criminal proceedings.

These allegations suggest that, despite the Observatory's statement of 5 February 2026 concerning the sexual harassment of Aysel Umudova and the torture and rape threats against Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva, the Azerbaijani authorities have failed to ensure an impartial and effective investigation and prevent similar abuses or hold those responsible accountable. Instead, reports indicate that violence, threats of sexual violence and intimidation against detained women journalists continue with apparent impunity.

The Observatory strongly condemns these acts of ill-treatment, intimidation and denial of adequate medical care, which appear to be aimed solely at punishing the journalists for their legitimate work and silencing independent media in Azerbaijan.

The signatory organisations call on the authorities of Azerbaijan to:

• Immediately conduct a prompt, independent, impartial and effective investigation into the allegations of ill-treatment, threats of sexual violence and intimidation against Aysel Umudova, Khayala Aghayeva, Aytaj Ahmadova, and ensure that all those responsible are held accountable;
• Ensure that Aytaj Ahmadova is immediately examined by an independent ENT specialist, undergoes all medically necessary MRI and CT examinations, and receives all necessary treatment without delay including at a private medical facility;
• Ensure that Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva  receives immediate permission to be examined by an independent medical specialist and, undergoes all medically necessary MRI, CT and gynaecological examinations at a private facility and receives all necessary treatment without delay in line with her lawyer’s request;
• Ensure that Nargiz Absalamova is promptly provided with the medically necessary MRI examination, examined by independent medical specialists, and receives all necessary treatment without delay, including, where necessary, at a private medical facility.
• Immediately and unconditionally release Aysel Umudova, Khayala Aghayeva, Aytaj Ahmadova, Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva, Nargiz Absalamova and all other journalists and human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in connection with politically motivated criminal proceedings and drop all charges against them.

The signatory organisations also urge the international community, including the Council of Europe, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and relevant United Nations bodies and Special Procedures, to:

• Publicly condemn the reported ill-treatment, threats of sexual violence and denial of medical care against the arbitrarily detained journalists and HRDs;
• Raise their cases at the highest political levels with the Azerbaijani authorities;
• Closely monitor the criminal proceedings, detention conditions and health situation of the detained journalists;
• Ensure that any enhanced cooperation with Azerbaijan is conditioned on concrete and measurable progress in preventing torture, ensuring accountability for ill-treatment and sexual violence, guaranteeing access to adequate medical care, and ending the persecution of independent journalists and all political prisoners.