Jailed Azerbaijani Journalist Asks Court for "Death Sentence"

The Baku Court of Appeal has upheld the six-year prison sentence against journalist and civic activist Ahmad Mammadli.

During the May 14 hearing, chaired by Judge Ali Mammadov, the court rejected Mammadli’s appeal. According to the Ahmad Mammadli Defense Committee, the activist first requested acquittal and, alternatively, asked to be transferred to house arrest due to his health condition.

Addressing the court, Mammadli said he expected his motions to be denied and delivered a sharp protest statement: “If that is also impossible, then I ask you to sentence me to death. I know there is no death penalty in our country, but that would be more honorable for me than spending six years in prison under torture.”

Mammadli stated that there was no real evidence against him in the criminal case. According to him, the alleged murder weapon (a knife) was never found, and no blood traces were discovered at the scene.

Defense lawyer Elchin Sadigov also pointed to contradictions in the investigation materials, arguing that the two other passengers in the taxi where the incident allegedly occurred were not random individuals and had known each other beforehand.

Ahmad Mammadli was detained on May 6, 2025. He was charged with hooliganism and intentionally inflicting serious bodily harm. Prosecutors claim he stabbed another passenger inside a vehicle.

In March 2026, the Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced him to six years in prison.

Mammadli rejects all charges and says he is being punished for his political activism and independent journalistic work.