On the cases of Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli and other political prisoners in Azerbaijan
B-10-2026-0458
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Ingeborg Ter Laak, Loucas Fourlas, Isabel WiselerLima, FrançoisXavier Bellamy, Tomas Tobé, Željana Zovko, Sebastião Bugalho, Tomáš Zdechovský, Lukas Mandl, Rasa Juknevičienė, Krzysztof Brejza, Reinhold Lopatka, Andrey Kovatchev, Jan Farský, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Liudas Mažylis, Danuše Nerudová, Ana Miguel Pedro, Łukasz Kohut, Vangelis Meimarakis, Inese Vaidere, Loránt Vincze
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Parliament's resolution condemns the detention of Ali Karimli and the sentencing of Anar Mammadli in Azerbaijan, and calls for the release of all political prisoners.¶¶ It demands access to medical care, food, water, family and lawyers for those held, and urges Azerbaijan to uphold freedom of expression and judicial independence.¶¶ It asks the EU's foreign policy chief and member states to raise the cases, and says any future partnership agreement must depend on human rights improvements.¶¶ It calls on the Commission to support Azerbaijani civil society and independent media, and on the Milli Majlis to resume parliamentary dialogue.¶¶
Key points
- Condemns the detention of Ali Karimli and the sentencing of Anar Mammadli, and all other political prisoners, as attempts to silence opposition and civil society.¶
- Calls for the immediate release of Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli and all other political prisoners, and for all charges against them to be dropped.¶
- Expresses concern at the detention of EU citizens, including French businessman Anass Derraz.
- Demands that detainees be granted immediate and full access to independent medical care, safe food and drinking water, their family, and lawyers.¶
- Deplores the crackdown on critical voices and the opposition, including misuse of national-security and criminal legislation.¶
- Urges Azerbaijan to uphold freedom of expression and media freedom, end abuse of criminal justice, and guarantee judicial independence and due process.
- Calls on the VP/HR and member states to raise these cases at the highest level, and on the EU Delegation and member state embassies to observe trials and request prison visits.¶
- Reiterates that any future partnership agreement must remain conditional on tangible human rights improvements, including the release of political prisoners and repeal of restrictive legislation.¶
- Calls on the Commission to step up support for Azerbaijani civil society and independent media, including in exile.¶
- Calls on the Milli Majlis to resume parliamentary dialogue.¶
Who is affected
- Ali Karimli, chairman of the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party, held in pre-trial detention since 29 November 2025.¶
- Anar Mammadli, civil society leader and election monitor, sentenced to 13 years in prison on 7 September 2026.¶
- Over 300 political prisoners held in Azerbaijan, according to independent monitors.¶
- EU citizens detained in Azerbaijan, including French businessman Anass Derraz.¶
- Azerbaijani civil society and independent media, including those in exile.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 29 November 2025: date Ali Karimli has been held in pre-trial detention since.¶
- 13 November 2026: date until which Karimli's pre-trial detention was extended.
- 7 September 2026: date Anar Mammadli was sentenced.¶
- 13 years: prison sentence given to Anar Mammadli.
- 2013-2016: period Anar Mammadli was previously imprisoned.
- over 300: number of political prisoners Azerbaijan holds, according to independent monitors.¶
- 1 May 2026: date the Milli Majlis suspended cooperation with the European Parliament.¶