The cases of Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli and other political prisoners in Azerbaijan
TA-10-2026-0337 · P10_TA(2026)0337 · PE788.307
- Adopted in plenary on · Adopted 492–23–60 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2026/2914
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Parliament's resolution condemns the politically motivated detention of Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli and Anar Abdullayev and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.¶ It demands adequate detention conditions, independent investigations into ill-treatment, due process and full implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments. It calls on Azerbaijan to release all political prisoners, end reprisals and stop misusing criminal and national security laws against critics, non-governmental organisations and media.¶ It asks the EU to prepare targeted sanctions, monitor trials, make any future EU-Azerbaijan partnership agreement conditional on human rights improvements and increase support for Azerbaijani civil society and independent media.¶¶¶ It regrets the Milli Majlis's suspension of cooperation with Parliament, condemns transnational repression and calls for rigorous scrutiny of extradition requests concerning government critics.¶¶
Key points
- Parliament strongly condemns the continued politically motivated detention and imprisonment of Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli and Anar Abdullayev and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.¶
- It demands adequate water, food, ventilation, medical care, lawyers and family contact for detainees, independent investigations into allegations of ill-treatment, and respect for due process and fair-trial guarantees.
- It calls for full implementation of European Court of Human Rights judgments in the Mammadli group of cases.
- It calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to end reprisals against peaceful critics, journalists, human rights activists, opposition leaders and academics, release all political prisoners and drop criminal charges against them.¶
- It urges an end to the misuse of criminal and national security laws to silence non-governmental organisations and media, and urges respect for judicial independence.
- It welcomes Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu's arrival in Germany for urgent medical treatment, calls for all criminal charges against him to be lifted, and expresses concern about the detention of EU citizens, including French national Anass Derraz.
- It calls on the VP/HR and Member States to ensure diplomatic engagement respects democratic values and to prepare targeted measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.¶
- It calls on the EU Delegation in Baku and Member State embassies to monitor trials.
- It reiterates that any future EU-Azerbaijan partnership agreement should be conditional on tangible improvements in human rights and the rule of law, including the release of political prisoners.¶
- It calls on the Commission to increase support for Azerbaijani civil society and independent media, including those in exile.¶
- It regrets the Milli Majlis's decision to suspend cooperation with Parliament and calls for its resumption.¶
- It condemns transnational repression against Azerbaijani critics abroad and calls on Member States to subject extradition requests concerning government critics to rigorous scrutiny.¶
Who is affected
- Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli and Anar Abdullayev: Parliament demands their immediate and unconditional release and adequate detention conditions.¶
- Azerbaijani authorities: called on to release all political prisoners, end reprisals and respect judicial independence.¶
- Azerbaijani civil society and independent media, including those in exile: the Commission is asked to increase support.¶
- EU citizens detained in Azerbaijan, including French national Anass Derraz: Parliament expresses concern.¶
- Member States: asked to scrutinise extradition requests concerning government critics and to prepare targeted measures.¶¶