On the night of April 4, Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov was arrested in Tbilisi. At approximately 4:00 a.m., the Tbilisi City Court ruled to extradite him to Azerbaijan on the basis of an accusation of insulting police officers on social media – an administrative offense – despite serious and well-documented concerns that his life and safety are at risk in his home country.
Several months ago, the European Court of Human Rights requested that Georgia suspend Sadigov’s extradition through an interim measure. This measure remains in force until the Court itself decides otherwise and is satisfied that the risk of human rights violations no longer exists. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has claimed that the criminal prosecution against Sadigov in Azerbaijan has been discontinued and that he is no longer in danger.
PEN Georgia expresses its full solidarity with Afgan Sadigov and strongly condemns this inhumane and unlawful decision.
According to Tamta Mikeladze, head of the Center for Social Justice, the actions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs contradict international law:
• The interim measure issued by the European Court of Human Rights remains binding until formally lifted by the Court.
• This case represents an unprecedented instance in which the Georgian state has openly disregarded such a measure.
• The European Court has already been notified, and a request for a new interim measure has been submitted.
Mikeladze also emphasized that Sadigov had repeatedly sought permission to leave Georgia after his release from detention. However, movement restrictions imposed at the request of the Prosecutor’s Office prevented him from doing so. His family has been granted political asylum in Europe, and he was in the process of obtaining a humanitarian visa to reunite with them.
Despite these circumstances, the court did not allow him to leave voluntarily. Instead, following the deactivation of his passport by Azerbaijani authorities, Sadigov was forcibly deported.
At this time, the whereabouts and condition of Afgan Sadigov in Azerbaijan remain unknown. His case raises serious concerns about violations of international law, due process, and fundamental human rights.
PEN Georgia calls on the relevant international bodies, including the European Court of Human Rights and the Committee of Ministers, to respond to this case with the utmost urgency and seriousness.
