Opposition figure Gulu Mammadli stated that the arrest of Ali Karimli, leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was expected, but the reasons go beyond simple criticism of the authorities. According to Mammadli, Karimli's publications in major Western media have increased his political significance and visibility abroad, which has caused concern among the Azerbaijani authorities.
The number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan over three months increased by 16 people and amounted to 303. This was reported by the Union of Freedom of Political Prisoners.
The list includes the following categories:
1) “journalists and bloggers” – 20 people;
2) “human rights activists” – 3 people;
3) “members of opposition parties and movements” – 28 people;
4) “political emigrants deported from Germany” – 5 people;
5) “religious people” – 216 people;
6) “convicted in the Tatar case” – 7 people;
7) “convicted in the Ganja case” – 13 people;
8) “sentenced for life” – 11 people.
Among the new names are human rights activist Anar Mammadli, head of the online platform meclis.info Imran Aliyev, economist Farid Mehralizadeh, PFPA members Sahib Mammadzadeh and Mehman Aliyev, public activists Elshan Karimov and Lachin Valiyev.