Human Rights Watch recently criticized Georgian authorities for their expulsion of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov back to Azerbaijan, where he faces significant risks of prosecution and mistreatment. Sadigov, the founder of the Azerbaijani news outlet Azel.tv, had reportedly resided in Georgia since 2023. In early August 2024, he was detained by Georgian authorities and subsequently held in extradition detention for more than seven months before being expelled.
While living in Georgia, Sadigov became involved in several protests in Tbilisi, attempting to raise awareness about his plight and the broader implications of geopolitical pressures in the region. His arrest occurred shortly after Azerbaijan unexpectedly decided to halt criminal proceedings against him on April 1, 2025. This development led the court in Tbilisi to revoke his bail and movement restrictions, a decision which came a day before his arrest.
Sadigov’s deportation has raised alarms within the human rights community. His lawyer highlighted that the judge overseeing his case ignored a binding European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) decision. Additionally, the judge failed to consider Sadigov’s family’s asylum status in Europe and did not explore other options like voluntary departure or asylum in a third country. The deportation has been described as orchestrated by the governments of both Georgia and Azerbaijan.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia defended its actions by referencing Sadigov’s alleged misdemeanors, including insulting a police officer on social media under Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences. They also mentioned vague “security-related concerns” communicated by Azerbaijani authorities. The Georgian government claimed that the ECtHR’s interim measures only applied to criminal extradition cases, which Azerbaijan had discontinued. However, Sadigov’s legal team contends that these measures remain in force until the ECtHR itself decides otherwise.
The situation reflects a broader context of media freedom and the precarious position of journalists in the region. Both Azerbaijan and Georgia are signatories to the European Convention on Human Rights, necessitating respect for the Court’s rulings. Yet, the recent actions concerning Sadigov highlight ongoing challenges related to judicial independence and international human rights obligations in these countries.