The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and Media Defence are concerned with the recent criminal procedure initiated against Azeri human rights lawyer Elchin Sadykov and his client, journalist Avaz Zeynalli.
Mr Sadykov is a well-known human rights lawyer, who has represented journalists, activists and politicians over many years. On Saturday night, his home and office in Baku were raided by the police. That same night, Mr Sadykov was interrogated and subjected to a court hearing, and, on Sunday morning, remanded in pre-trial detention for four months. Mr Sadykov has been in incommunicado detention for at least three days. Today, a court in Baku will hear an appeal against his pre-trial detention.
The manner of Mr Sadykov’s arrest and detention raise serious concerns with regard to the legitimacy and lawfulness of the procedures brought against him and their compatibility with international human rights standards.
While searching his house and office, the authorities seized material relating to cases Mr Sadykov is working on as well as his electronic devices. These items are protected by legal professional privilege and contain sensitive information relating to serious human rights abuses. This material should be returned immediately.
Media Defence and IBAHRI have collaborated with Azerbaijani lawyers and civil society organisations supporting cases being litigated at the European Court of Human Rights. The action taken against Elchin Sadykov is not an isolated case but reflects a pattern of harassment against critical voices in Azerbaijan, including politicians, journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders. This latest abuse of the legal system produces a chilling effect on legal professionals dedicated to upholding human rights in Azerbaijan, to the overall detriment of victims of human rights violations.
Mr Sadykov should be released immediately and respect for his rights and liberties must be ensured, in line with international human rights standards. As the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights stated earlier, Azerbaijani authorities have the “duty to ensure that human rights defenders and media professionals can carry out their work safely and freely”.
Baroness Helena Kennedy KC
Director, International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)
Alinda Vermeer
CEO, Media Defence
Read the pdf version of the statement here.
Recent News
Ariane Lavrilleux: Landmark Judgment for Source Protection to be Appealed by Paris Public Prosecutor
On 9 October 2025, the Paris Criminal Court dismissed the proceedings against French investigative journalist Ariane Lavrilleux in the Egypt Papers case. During the hearing, the judge also reportedly recognised the public interest of the 2021 Egypt Papers investigation, co-authored by Lavrilleux for the independent outlet Disclose. The investigation exposed a covert French intelligence operation, known as Operation Sirli, in Egypt and alleged French complicity […]
Press Freedom Advocates: Tornavoz’s Charlene Nagae on Journalism, Lawsuits and Solidarity in Brazil
In this edition of Press Freedom Advocates, Media Defence’s Communications Officer, Anoushka Schellekens, speaks with Charlene Miwa Nagae, Co-founder of Tornavoz, about the landscape, the threats, and how legal support and strategic litigation are key to ensuring this promising new wave of journalism can endure.
Arshad Sharif: 3 Years On Impunity Persists
Today marks three years since the killing of prominent Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif who was fatally shot at close range by Kenyan police at a roadblock near Nairobi. According to the authorities, police opened fire on the car Sharif was travelling in after allegedly mistaking it for a stolen vehicle they were pursuing. However, the […]