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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2914(RSP))

On the cases of Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli and other political prisoners in Azerbaijan

B-10-2026-0454

on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 9 Oct 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution condemns the detention of Ali Karimli and the sentencing of Anar Mammadli, Anar Abdullayev and others in Azerbaijan, and calls for their release. It asks Azerbaijan to repeal restrictive NGO and media laws, stop using financial and national-security charges against critics, and end transnational repression. It calls for EU sanctions on Azerbaijani officials responsible for serious human rights violations and for suspending the 2022 energy Memorandum of Understanding. It says any EU-Azerbaijan partnership agreement, including on energy, must be conditional on respect for fundamental rights and the release of all political prisoners.

Key points

  1. Condemns the continued detention of Ali Karimli on politically motivated charges and calls for his immediate and unconditional release and for all charges to be dropped.
  2. Is alarmed by the punitive and degrading conditions imposed on Mr Karimli since June 2026 and urges the authorities to restore his communication rights and ensure medical care.
  3. Condemns the sentencing of Anar Mammadli and Anar Abdullayev, considers the verdict retaliation for independent election observation and human rights work, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.
  4. Condemns the sentences in the Toplum TV case and calls for the charges against the Meydan TV defendants to be dropped.
  5. Reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Azerbaijan.
  6. Calls on Azerbaijan to repeal restrictive laws on NGOs and media and to stop using financial and national-security charges to silence critics.
  7. Condemns transnational repression against Azerbaijani critics abroad and calls on Member States and partner countries not to extradite activists at risk of persecution.
  8. Calls for EU sanctions on Azerbaijani officials responsible for serious human rights violations.
  9. Insists any EU-Azerbaijan partnership agreement, including on energy, be strongly conditional on respect for fundamental rights and the release of all political prisoners, and calls on the Commission to suspend the 2022 energy Memorandum of Understanding.
  10. Regrets the Milli Majlis's decision to suspend cooperation with the European Parliament.

Who is affected

  • Ali Karimli, chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, detained since November 2025; Parliament seeks his release and better conditions.
  • Anar Mammadli and journalist Anar Abdullayev, sentenced to 13 and 12 years; Parliament calls for their release.
  • Nine journalists and civil society activists sentenced in the Toplum TV case, and the Meydan TV defendants; Parliament seeks dropped charges.
  • Azerbaijani officials responsible for serious human rights violations; Parliament calls for EU sanctions on them.
  • Member States and partner countries; asked not to extradite activists at risk of persecution.

Figures and deadlines

  • November 2025: Ali Karimli detained by State Security Service officers.
  • Pre-trial detention extended until at least November 2026.
  • More than 20 members of Karimli's party detained since November 2025.
  • 7 September 2026: Anar Mammadli sentenced to 13 years in a strict regime.
  • Anar Abdullayev sentenced to 12 years.
  • July 2026: nine journalists and activists sentenced to 12 and 15 years in the Toplum TV case.
  • 1 May 2026: Milli Majlis suspended all cooperation with the European Parliament.