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.
The Nalchik Garrison Military Court sentenced serviceman Islam Teshev to seven years in prison for leaving his unit without leave during mobilization.
According to the case file, in the spring of 2024, Teshev failed to return to his unit after leave and was absent for approximately two weeks. Investigators later believe he abandoned his unit again in November 2025. In March 2026, he was detained in Nalchik.
The court also took into account Teshev's previous sentence: he had previously received a suspended sentence for illegal arms trafficking. Teshev pleaded guilty in court, according to a press release. Based on the combined sentences, he was sentenced to seven years in prison.
The Nalchik Garrison Court regularly hears cases of leaving his unit without leave. Following the tightening of legislation adopted after the announcement of mobilization in 2022, military personnel are increasingly being given real prison terms under such articles.