Representatives of the Council of Europe have called on Azerbaijani authorities to release human rights defender Anar Mammadli, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Specifically, PACE rapporteur on political prisoners Azadeh Rojhan asserts that his prosecution is political in nature and that fundamental principles of a fair trial were violated during the proceedings.

On September 7, a Baku court sentenced Mammadli to 13 years of imprisonment. The court also heard the case of journalist Anar Abdulla, who received a 12-year sentence. Both defendants pleaded not guilty, and their lawyers described the prosecution as politically motivated.

Rojhan noted that PACE had concluded—even before the verdict was handed down—that the case likely had political undertones. Now, she said, those concerns have only intensified. She also called for the release of other journalists and human rights defenders currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan.

The sentences were also criticized by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty. He urged Azerbaijani authorities to release Mammadli, Abdulla, and other journalists, human rights defenders, and activists prosecuted for their legitimate activities and criticism of the authorities.

Mammadli was detained in Baku on April 29, 2024, in connection with the case involving staff members of the *Abzas Media* outlet. Initially accused of smuggling, he faced additional charges—illegal business activity, money laundering, tax evasion, and document forgery—after his case was separated into distinct proceedings.

In July, the prosecutor requested a 14-year prison term for Mammadli and 13 years for Abdulla. The court ultimately sentenced them to 13 and 12 years, respectively.

Mammadli’s defense team is already preparing an appeal. According to his lawyer, Elchin Sadygov, the complaint must be filed within 20 days of the verdict. Abdulla’s lawyer, Gunay Ismayilova, also announced that an appeal is being prepared.