The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan has reopened a previously closed criminal case against opposition journalist Afgan Sadigov. He has been remanded in custody until July 30.
In 2024, an investigation was opened against Afgan Sadigov on charges of extortion. At the time, he was in Georgia, and Azerbaijani authorities requested his extradition. However, the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Georgia's extradition until his complaint had been considered on the merits.
Subsequently, Azerbaijan notified Georgian authorities of the termination of the criminal case, which served as grounds for his deportation to Azerbaijan.
On April 5, 2026, Afgan Sadigov was expelled from Georgia to Azerbaijan. The official reasons were charges of insulting a government official and a number of administrative violations related to his participation in protests. At the end of May, Sadygov reported being banned from leaving Azerbaijan.
Afgan Sadygov moved to Georgia with his family in December 2023 for medical treatment, but decided to remain in the country due to persecution in his home country. The journalist also spoke of threats he received in Georgia from citizens with ties to Azerbaijan. In May 2020, a Baku court sentenced him to seven years in prison on extortion charges, but he was later pardoned. Human rights organizations deemed the case against him fabricated.
