How corruption and cruelty define life inside Azerbaijan’s prisons

July 27, 2025

Investigative journalists imprisoned in Azerbaijan are facing severe conditions and retaliation for reporting on prison system corruption. Several Abzas Media journalists, including Sevinc Vagifgizi who was sentenced to nine years, have documented deplorable living conditions within facilities, where basic amenities like fans, refrigerators, and clean water are scarce despite the government allocating approximately USD 115 million to the penitentiary service in 2025. When the journalists began a hunger strike to protest these conditions and demand compliance with a court order, prison authorities responded by transferring them to worse cells, physically assaulting at least one journalist, and restricting water access for all inmates.

Who is affected

Female inmates at the Baku Pretrial Detention Center (153 women total)
Imprisoned journalists from Abzas Media (Sevinc Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, Elnara Gasimova, Ulvi Hasanli)
Journalists from Meydan TV currently on trial (Aynur Elgunes, Aytac Tapdig, Khayala Aghayeva, Aysel Umudova, Fatima Movlamli)
Inmates with health conditions (hypertension, diabetes, heart issues)
Pregnant inmates

What action is being taken

Imprisoned journalists are conducting an indefinite hunger strike that began on July 20
Prison authorities are retaliating by transferring journalists to unsanitary cells
Prison management is restricting water supply to just 15 minutes a day in the section where the protesting journalists are held
Authorities are physically assaulting journalists who resist transfers (Absalamova was left with visible bruises)
Journalists are continuing to document and report on prison conditions despite their imprisonment

Why it matters

This situation exposes systemic corruption and human rights violations in Azerbaijan's prison system despite significant funding allocations. The government has dedicated AZN 196 million (approximately USD 115 million) to the penitentiary service in 2025, and over five years has allocated nearly USD 500 million, plus additional European Union funding exceeding 24 million euros since 2014. The conditions reveal a pattern of neglect where basic necessities like refrigeration, ventilation, clean water, and medical care are inadequate or weaponized against inmates. The article demonstrates how imprisoned journalists are using their firsthand experience to expose these issues while facing retaliation for their reporting and peaceful protests.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices