“GEGHARD”
SCIENTIFIC ANALYTICAL
FOUNDATION
2025
2025
2024-09-02
In Azerbaijan, opposition figures, activists, and journalists are constantly subjected to persecution and violence. Hatred towards Armenians has become a tool in the hands of the Aliyev regime to maintain power and is sponsored at the state level. And all those who call for peace with Armenia are arrested.
Recently, the arrest of activist Bahruz Samadov caused a stir in Azerbaijan. According to the activist's lawyer, Zibeyda Sadigova, Samadov was arrested because he had called for peace and accused the Azerbaijani government of not wanting real peace with Armenia.
Zibayda Osmanova, one of his family members, told in detail about the activist's arrest. According to her, days ago, six employees of Azerbaijan's State Security Service, under the pretext of searching for drugs, invaded their apartment. However, finding nothing, they took two phones, two computers belonging to Bahruz, his diploma from Lomonosov University, and other documents.
Recently, the Sabail district court ordered a 4-month detention for the arrested Bahruz Samadov. The activist has been accused of high treason under Article 274 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. It means that can be sentenced to 12-20 years or life imprisonment. Samadov did not plead guilty in court and said that he had been under pressure.
Bahruz Samadov has been vocal on social media, frequently publishing posts. A particular post by the young opposition activist enraged part of Azerbaijani society. He wrote, "Blockade is a favored tactic of Azerbaijan. Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh were blockaded in 1989-1991, Stepanakert was shelled, and civilians lost their lives. It's no surprise that propaganda and a sense of national identity often overlook these historical realities"
“The existence of the Azerbaijani people depends on hatred towards Armenians. It is the reality. Without Armenians, Azerbaijaniness loses its existential foundations, and its place is taken by the identity of the indigenous people (note: meaning the indigenous Tats, Talysh, Lezgins, Udis, etc.).
Bahruz Samadov posted photos of Armenian traditional attire on his X page, directly opposing Azerbaijan's policy of appropriating Armenian cultural heritage. Moreover, Samadov has repeatedly shared posts on his page concerning the Armenian Genocide.
Activist Bahruz Samadov and many other civil activists are facing criminal charges for calling for peace, while the propagation of hate, particularly against Armenians, remains a cornerstone of the Azerbaijani government's policy.
Caricature by Gunduz Aghaev