Bahruz Samadov

8 Posts

•

0 Followers

Bahruz Samadov. Illustration: Tamar Shvelidze/OC Media

Armenia

When advocating for peace becomes treason — the arrest of Bahruz Samadov

by Yousef Bardouka

•6 min read

Azerbaijan’s arrest of researcher and writer Bahruz Samadov has led to widespread outcry, and speculation about the implications for the prospect of peace or further war with Armenia. On the evening of 21 August, Azerbaijani social media filled with posts calling for any information on Bahruz Samadov’s whereabouts. Samadov was visiting Azerbaijan while on holiday from his studies, and had gone missing that afternoon, shortly before he was expected to meet a friend. After two days of silenc

Samadov leaving the court on 23 August. Screengrab from video: Giyas Ibrahim/X

Armenia–Azerbaijan Conflict

Podcast | The Bahruz Samadov case

by OC Media

•2 min read

Bahruz Samadov, a political analyst, OC Media contributor, and outspoken advocate for peace with Armenia has been arrested in Azerbaijan and charged with treason. His arrest was preceded by the arrest of another researcher, Iqbal Abilov, on the same charges, leading many to fear that Azerbaijan has begun targeting researchers and peace activists. This week, we spoke with journalist Arzu Geybulla about the significance of Samadov’s arrest and the charges pressed against him

Bahruz Samadov. Photo: Bahruz Samadov/Facebook

Azerbaijan

Amnesty International calls on Azerbaijan to release Bahruz Samadov and other government critics

by Aytan Farhadova

•2 min read

Amnesty International has called on the Azerbaijani government to release OC Media contributor Bahruz Samadov and other government critics targeted in the lead-up to Sunday’s snap parliamentary elections. Samadov, a political analyst and outspoken advocate for peace with Armenia, was arrested on 21 August and charged with high treason over his contact with Armenian researchers and peace activists. Similar charges were filed against Talysh minority researcher Igbal Abilov in July. In their s

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani researcher Bahruz Samadov’s appeal for pre-trial release rejected

by OC Media

•2 min read

Bahruz Samadov, an Azerbaijani academic and freelance journalist detained on charges of treason on 21 August, has been denied a plea for release from four months of pre-trial detention. The Baku Court of Appeals rejected the motion on Tuesday. On 23 August, Baku’s Sabail District Court remanded Samadov to four months of pre-trial custody. Samadov, a 28-year-old doctoral student at Charles University in Prague and a frequent contributor to OC Media, is facing charges of ‘high treason’, which

Azerbaijan

OC Media contributor Javid Agha ‘apprehended as witness’ in Bahruz Samadov treason case

by OC Media

•2 min read

Writer and OC Media contributor Javid Agha has said he was apprehended by the authorities as he attempted to board a flight out of Azerbaijan. On Tuesday evening, Agha wrote on social media that he was ‘invited to testify as a witness regarding the Bahruz Samadov case.’ He declined to comment further citing the ongoing investigation. Agha was initially reported missing on Tuesday morning, with journalist Ulviyya Ali reporting that he had not boarded his flight. Ali said Agha had promised to

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan reportedly detains second OC Media contributor as new crackdown intensifies

by OC Media

•1 min read

Azerbaijani writer and OC Media contributor Samad Shikhi has reportedly been detained at Baku airport as he was attempting to leave the country. Reports emerged of Shikhi’s detention on Friday evening, shortly after the Sabail District Court charged Bahruz Samadov, another OC Media contributor and researcher, with treason. [Read more: Bahruz Samadov charged with treason] Shikhi, like Samadov, was an outspoken advocate for democracy and human rights in Azerbaijan — and for peace with Armeni

Azerbaijan

Bahruz Samadov charged with treason

by OC Media

•4 min read

Azerbaijani researcher and OC Media contributor Bahruz Samadov has been charged with treason by the Sabail District Court, and faces 12–20 years in prison or a life sentence if found guilty. Samadov was detained by the State Security Service on Wednesday. The court remanded Samadov to four months of pre-trial detention on Friday. If found guilty, Samadov faces 12–20 years to life in prison. [Read Samadov’s latest op-ed prior to his arrest: Opinion | Azerbaijan’s cooling relations with T