2025
2025
2025-10-29
Caricature by Gunduz Aghayev
In recent years, the sharp increase in domestic violence in Azerbaijan once again proves that it is a widespread and deeply rooted phenomenon in society. Violations of women’s rights, acts of violence, and brutal murders have been continuous despite warnings from local media and human rights activists. It should be noted that violence against women by Azerbaijani men occurs not only in Azerbaijan but also within Azerbaijani communities abroad. This reflects a mentality, in which a woman’s role is confined solely to household life.
The rise in violence and the lack of effective preventive measures have also been acknowledged by Tamam Jafarova, a member of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis (Parliament). She emphasized the need for serious amendments to the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence. In September 2025, at a session of the Majlis Committee on Family, Women, and Children’s Issues, Jafarova proposed introducing life imprisonment for the murder of women. “Every week we see new reports in the media about killed women. It is sad that they are murdered by their own husbands,” she stated.
Psychologist Gulnar Orujova, speaking about violence against women, noted: “In Azerbaijan, the cases of divorces are increasing day by day. Sometimes a divorced woman is either scorned or condemned. Parents tell their daughters: ‘If you get divorced, don’t come back to your father’s house; you entered your husband’s home in a wedding dress, and you’ll leave it in a cerement.’”
According to Teymur Mardanoglu, press secretary of the State Committee for Family, Women, and Children’s Issues, “One of the main causes of domestic violence is the stereotypical ‘traditional’ way of thinking and behavior deeply rooted in the consciousness of certain families and individuals. Much of the work aimed at eliminating these stereotypes often faces strong resistance from those who stick to them.”
In Azerbaijan, women are subjected to violence not only by their husbands but also by their sons. Beheadings, shootings, axe attacks, stabbings, burnings, and severe beatings are among the most common forms of violence against women in Azerbaijan.
Cases of beheading women
In 2025, a horrifying incident took place in the city of Agstafa: Gadimov, a participant of the 44-day war, first strangled and then beheaded his 18-year-old wife, Madina Gadimova.
A similar case occurred in Baku, where 38-year-old Burhan Mammadov beheaded his 33-year-old wife, Khumar Mammadova, and then committed suicide.
In the Sabunchi district, 46-year-old Ilham Mammadov beheaded his 43-year-old wife, Gyulnaz Mammadova, and then electrocuted her motionless body.
Beheadings of women in Azerbaijan during 2024–2025 point to the existence of deep, systemic, social, and psychological problems.
Axe attacks
One of the most common forms of violence against women in Azerbaijan is axe attacks, often used as a “solution” to domestic disputes.
In the Dashkesan district, 53-year-old Teymur Ojagverdiyev killed his 39-year-old wife, Atlas Ojagverdiyeva, with an axe during a domestic quarrel.
In the occupied Varanda (Fizuli), 47-year-old Elsevar Baghırov attacked his former wife, 41-year-old Dilbar Namazova, in front of a hospital and killed her with an axe.
A similar case occurred in the village of Yukhari Tahirjal in the Gusar district, where a man killed his sleeping wife with an axe. The woman’s brother, who was in the same house, was also injured.
In the village of Chomakhtur, Sharur district, 57-year-old Elchin Gasimov struck his 48-year-old wife, Maharat Gasimova, multiple times with an axe.
Gun violence
In the village of Khoshchobanli (Xoşçobanlı), Masalli district, 29-year-old Kamran Zarbaliev fired with a hunting rifle at his wife, her sister, and their mother.
A similar incident occurred in Baku, where during a domestic quarrel, a 38-year-old man shot and killed his wife.
In the Russian city of Mogocha, an Azerbaijani man shot his wife dead. The victim’s friend reported that there had been serious disagreements in the family and that the man had repeatedly threatened to kill his wife.
Murder by strangling
One of the most common and brutal forms of violence against women in Azerbaijan is murder by strangulation.
In the Sabunchu district, 28-year-old Nuraddin Mammadov strangled his 22-year-old wife, Aysan Mammadova, during a domestic quarrel.
In the village of Khaspoladoba, Khachmaz district, 45-year-old Yagut Mammadova was strangled to death by her husband, Asaf Mammadov, who was the local mullah.
In Sumgayit, 50-year-old Gorkhmaz Guliyev strangled his 41-year-old wife, Jamala Guliyeva.
In the village of Aghsu, Goygol district, 32-year-old Jeyhun Musafayev, motivated by jealousy, strangled his 22-year-old wife, Myunnavar Karimova.
Burning
Cases of burning are also among the most extreme forms of violence committed against women.
In the village of Ashaghi Gushchu, Tovuz district, Royal Taghiyev, a 22-year-old son of Rasim Taghiyev, head of the Tovuz regional department of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, poured gasoline on café employee Turkana Mammadova and set her on fire.
Stabbing and torture
In recent decades, numerous cases of women tortured by men have shown that such acts are tolerated in Azerbaijani society. Nevertheless, statistical data from 2024–2025 indicate that incidents of violence against women in Azerbaijan have significantly increased.
In the village of Ayyublu, Tovuz district, 32-year-old Sabuhi Hajizadeh stabbed his 29-year-old wife, Matanat Hajizadeh, and then hanged her from a tree. After the incident, the husband posted a video confessing to the murder.
In the Sabunchu district of Baku, during a quarrel, a husband cut off the ear of his 30-year-old wife—who intended to file for divorce—and then slashed her face with a knife.
Another case occurred in Bilasuvar, where a man stabbed the mother of two minor children and then hanged her from the ceiling of their home.
A similar incident took place in Shaki, where during an argument, a man stabbed his 34-year-old wife in the presence of their two young children, while they were living in her parents’ house.
Due to a family dispute, in the village of Shilyan, Kurdamir district, 40-year-old resident Elshan Abdulov cut the throat of his 35-year-old wife, Samira Abdulova.
A criminal case was opened under Article 120.1 of the criminal code of Azerbaijan (“premeditated murder”) when in Absheron, a 50-year-old man stabbed and killed his 48-year-old wife, Sevinj Ahmadaghaeva, with a sharp instrument.
Another case of a husband stabbing his wife was recorded in the Binagadi district: 45-year-old Rashad Guliyev killed his 32-year-old wife, Aygul Guliyeva. The murder was reportedly the result of a family conflict.
A similar incident occurred in the Gobustan settlement of the Garadagh district, where 54-year-old Zaman Zeynalov stabbed his 50-year-old wife, Parvana Zeynalova, during an argument.
In Mingachevir, 45-year-old Jeyhun Mirzayev stabbed his ex-wife, the mother of two children, Ayten Mammadova, during a quarrel.
Another stabbing occured in Yevlakh, where 38-year-old Hasrat Bakirov killed his 37-year-old wife, Lalazar Bakirova.
Domestic violence against women in Azerbaijan is not limited to abuse by husbands—many cases involve sons attacking their mothers.
For instance:
In the village of Gadashoba, Khachmaz district, a 15-year-old boy killed his 43-year-old mother, Kifayat Latifova. Relatives reported that the incident occurred after the mother took away the boy’s phone, and he stabbed her multiple times.
A similar case happened in the village of Shakarabad, Babek district, where 24-year-old Nihad Gochaliyev killed his 47-year-old mother, Leyla Gochaliyeva, with a sharp object.
In 2025, 15-year-old R. Hasanov (name changed for confidentiality) stabbed his mother, Lala Ismayilova, and his grandmother, Tamella Ismayilova.
Sixteen-year-old Aykhan Gasimli killed his 36-year-old mother, Asmat Gasimova. The divorced woman had moved to Azerbaijan from Turkey with her son and was staying in a hotel. Sisters also suffer from family violence. In Siyazan, 21-year-old Safar Mustafazade stabbed his 28-year-old sister, Shabnam Mustafazade.
There are also numerous cases of women killed by close relatives.
One such case occurred in Agjabadi, where a 32-year-old brother-in-law stabbed his 34-year-old sister-in-law to death. In Khachmaz, a woman aged 66 was murdered by a male relative.
Violence by fathers against daughters is another widespread phenomenon.
On Bayan street in Ganja, 47-year-old Samad Hasanli beat his 22-year-old daughter, Leyla Hasanli, to death.
A similar case occurred in the Zabrat settlement of Baku: while in prison, Yelmar Atakishiyev learned that his daughter, Jamala Atakishiyeva, had a relationship with a man. After completing his sentence, he went to her home and confronted her. During the argument, he repeatedly struck his daughter with his hands and feet, causing her to lose consciousness. He provided no help and later claimed during interrogation that he did not “torture” her but only intended to “punish” her by hitting her several times. After leaving the unconscious daughter, he later learned that she had died.
The rise in violence against women in Azerbaijan is fueled by public perceptions in rural and small urban communities regarding women’s roles and gender relations, lenient punishments for perpetrators, the lack of protection for victims, and the silence of those affected. The above-mentioned cases represent only a fraction of what actually takes place within Azerbaijani society. The real number of cases of violence against women is much higher, but most go unreported, remaining “within the four walls” of the home. Cases of violence against women are mostly publicized only in larger cities.