Azerbaijani oppositionist Vugar Gadirli has been sentenced to imprisonment.

The court in Azerbaijan sentenced member of the Popular Front Party Vugar Gadirli to two years in prison for illegal arms trafficking. The party considers Gadirli's case fabricated and politically motivated.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", in February, member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) Vugar Gadirli (Gadirov) was on hunger strike in isolation in protest against criminal prosecution. Relatives reported that the arrested man is not receiving the medications he needs. In March, family members reported that Gadirli's health had deteriorated, but he is not receiving the necessary medical assistance.

The Imishli District Court of Azerbaijan sentenced Vugar Gadirli to two years in prison on June 30, finding him guilty of illegal possession of weapons, the PFPA press service reported to a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot".

"Vugar Gadirli was accused of illegal possession of weapons, which were actually planted in his home by the police themselves. Vugar Gadirli's case is completely fabricated; he is being persecuted for political reasons due to his opposition activities. Vugar Gadirli is a second group disabled veteran of the Karabakh war and has serious health problems. The fact that the court did not take this circumstance into account further confirms the ordered nature of the case," said the head of the PFPA press service, Natig Adilov, to a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot".

According to him, an appeal will be filed against the sentence. Adilov also noted that Gadirli is still not receiving medical assistance in the pre-trial detention center.

An employee of the Imishli District Court confirmed to a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot" that Gadirli was sentenced under Article 228.1 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan (illegal trafficking of weapons and ammunition). Representatives of the prosecution were unavailable for comment.

Azerbaijani human rights defenders previously recognized Gadirli as a political prisoner. The PFPA is the successor of the Popular Front movement, which was created in 1989 to fight for Azerbaijan's independence and transformed into a party in 1995. In 2000, Ali Kerimli became the chairman of the PFPA, who served as the Secretary of State of Azerbaijan in 1993 and was elected to parliament in 1995 and 2000 on the PFPA list. In 2015, Kerimli was re-elected as chairman of the PFPA.

In 2025, Azerbaijani authorities intensified repression against the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, culminating in the arrests of Ali Kerimli and his associates, the party stated earlier. By the end of January 2026, 20 members of the PFPA were in custody on fabricated criminal charges, according to party representatives.