Azerbaijani political scientist continues to be held in solitary confinement

Azerbaijan has extended the solitary confinement of convicted political scientist Bahruz Samedov. According to his family, this is having a severe impact on his health. The 29-year-old doctoral student at Charles University is serving a 15-year sentence on charges of treason.

Bahruz Samedov was detained in August 2024 in Baku. Security forces came to his home under the pretext of searching for drugs, which they never found. They ultimately confiscated the political scientist, his documents, and his computer. He had published articles critical of the Azerbaijani government in Western media and analytical publications.

Samadov was accused of treason, allegedly corresponding with Armenians and writing articles commissioned by them. He denied the charges. Bahruz Samedov is also known as a contributor to OC Media and the Baku Research Institute, a Western-published resource.

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