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In Absentia Sentences Against Bloggers Living Abroad Continue

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Since December 26, 2025, courts in Baku have continued to announce in absentia verdicts against Azerbaijani bloggers residing abroad.

According to court rulings, Gabil Mammadov was sentenced to 16 years in prison, while Gurban Mammadov and Tural Sadigli received 14-year prison sentences.

In addition, Suleyman Suleymanli, Ordukhan Teymurkhan, Orkhan Aghayev, Rafael Piriyev, and Elshad Mammadov were sentenced in absentia to nine years’ imprisonment. Sevinj Osmanqizi, Abid Gafarov, Vagif Allahverdiyev, and Beydulla Manafov received eight-year prison sentences, while Mohammad Mirzali was sentenced to six years and six months.

At the same time, in absentia verdicts are expected in the criminal cases against political analyst Arastun Orujlu, who resides in the United States, and historian Altay Goyushov, who lives in France.

Most of the defendants reject the charges, describing them as politically motivated and characterizing the trials as part of a broader crackdown on freedom of expression.