The cases of Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli and other political prisoners in Azerbaijan

The European Parliament adopted by 492 votes to 23, with 60 abstentions, a resolution on the cases of Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli and other political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

The text adopted in plenary was adopted by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA and the Left groups.

As a reminder, Ali Karimli, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party, has been in pretrial detention since 29 November 2025, with it extended twice until 13 November 2026, on charges of alleged violent seizure of power, which he denies, carrying a potential life sentence.

Anar Mammadli was sentenced on 7 September 2026 to 13 years in prison on multiple criminal charges. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) previously found his detention politically motivated. His co-defendant, journalist Anar Abdullayev, was sentenced to 12 years.

These cases form part of a broader pattern of repression against opposition figures, journalists, human rights defenders, activists and academics, with over 300 political prisoners, including Armenian prisoners.

Parliament strongly condemned the continued politically motivated detention and imprisonment of Ali Karimli, Anar Mammadli and Anar Abdullayev and called for their immediate and unconditional release. It demanded adequate water, food, ventilation, medical care, lawyers and family contact.

The Azerbaijani authorities are called on to end reprisals against peaceful critics, journalists, human rights activists, opposition leaders and academics, release all political prisoners and drop criminal charges against them. Parliament urged an end to the misuse of criminal and national security laws to silence non-governmental organisations and media and urged respect for judicial independence.

Members condemned transnational repression against opponents abroad and called on the Commission to step up support for civil society and independent media in the country and in exile. They called on the EU High Representative to prepare targeted measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime and to ensure that diplomatic engagement respects democratic values.