Recent developments in Azerbaijan have drawn significant criticism from rights organizations, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemning the convictions of exiled critics in absentia. These convictions are primarily based on social media activity, resulting in sentences of up to 16 years. The Baku Courts for Serious Crimes have delivered these verdicts by relying extensively on YouTube broadcasts and Facebook posts, despite the absence of the defendants in court.
The Azerbaijani authorities’ efforts to prosecute exiles for their online expressions have sparked concerns over the suppression of free speech. HRW reviewed eight cases between July 2025 and March 2026, highlighting the use of government-appointed forensic experts who classified the content as advocating for the violent overthrow of power or promoting mass disorder. Moreover, the state-appointed defense lawyers had no interaction with the accused, raising questions about the integrity and fairness of these proceedings.
Among the affected individuals are historian Altay Goyushov, residing in France, who received a six-year sentence for YouTube and Facebook content, and political analyst Arastun Oruclu, residing in New York, who was sentenced to eight years. Both cases underscore the Azerbaijani judiciary’s reliance on social media as the basis for charges of incitement. Seven other individuals across Europe also faced similar convictions in December 2025, with sentences ranging from nine to fourteen years.
The introduction of the in absentia framework, made possible by amendments to Azerbaijan’s Criminal Procedures Code in 2023, marks a shift in the country’s judicial approach. These legal changes enable Azerbaijan to invoke international legal frameworks, such as the European Convention on Extradition, when pursuing extradition or detention during international travel. HRW has urged European governments to thoroughly review any extradition requests emanating from these convictions, mindful of the potential for politically motivated prosecutions upon any return.
The broader context of these developments indicates a persistent crackdown within Azerbaijan, previously reported by HRW, affecting journalists, civil society activists, and opposition political parties. The Committee to Protect Journalists has also documented the escalating use of in absentia trials against journalists living abroad.
The Azerbaijani government’s tactics raise substantial concerns about transnational repression, a growing trend where governments extend their efforts to silence critics beyond national borders. As the international community observes these proceedings unfold, the implications for free expression and political dissent remain crucial topics of discussion.