The arrest of Afghan Sadigov has been extended for three months.

The court in Baku extended the arrest of journalist Afghan Sadigov, accused of extortion, until October 30. Sadigov does not admit guilt and believes the prosecution is politically motivated, his lawyer said.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan has resumed the previously terminated criminal case of extortion against Azerbaijani journalist Afghan Sadigov. On June 8, the court chose a measure of restraint in the form of arrest. The appellate court in Baku rejected the appeal against the arrest of journalist Afghan Sadigov, keeping him in custody. At the end of June, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, called on the Azerbaijani authorities to provide information on the reasons for the resumption of the criminal case against Sadigov. He noted that detention before trial should be applied as an exceptional measure. The Azerbaijani General Prosecutor's Office stated that the journalist's case is related to criminal charges and has nothing to do with his activities.

On July 23, the Binagadi District Court in Baku considered the request of the investigative body to extend the arrest of journalist Afghan Sadigov for another three months, his lawyer Neman Kerimli reported.

According to him, the prosecutor's office justified the need to extend the arrest by the necessity of additional investigative actions due to new complaints against Sadigov.

The court extended the arrest until October 30, the defender told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

Sadigov has been charged under another article. Initially, he was charged under the article on extortion by threats in conspiracy with a group of individuals and under the article on extortion by threats with the aim of seizing property in a significant amount, but now the journalist is also charged under the article on extortion by threats committed repeatedly.

The lawyer emphasized that the investigative body has not presented him with the "new complaints" against Sadigov.

"The content of the complaints will become known during the investigative actions," noted Neman Kerimli. He emphasized that Sadigov does not admit guilt on any count and considers the criminal case fabricated.

The defender said that an appeal will be filed against the court's decision.

A staff member of the Binagadi court confirmed to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" the information about the extension of Sadigov's arrest.

Representatives of the investigative body were unavailable for comment.

Usually, in the judicial practice of Azerbaijan, when there are two or more articles of accusation, the courts impose the maximum penalty under the article that provides for the longest term of imprisonment or partially sum the terms, noted one of the Baku lawyers.

"If Sadigov has been added another article, then he may face a sentence of more than 10 years in prison," he told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

Recall that in August 2024, Afghan Sadigov's wife called the accusations against her husband in Azerbaijan false. "How could Afghan commit this 'crime' if he has been in Georgia since the end of December last year (2023)? The Azerbaijani authorities are simply worried that Afghan might leave Georgia for a third country and hastily fabricated a criminal case. They are punishing him for not remaining silent about injustice, arbitrariness, and lawlessness. Afghan did not remain silent in Georgia either, continuing to criticize the Azerbaijani authorities on social media," said Sevinc Sadigova during a broadcast on her Facebook page*.

On her page, Sadigova also published photos from protests by Georgian activists who took to the streets with placards: "Freedom to Afghan Sadigov".

Sadigov is personally acquainted with many participants in the protests on Rustaveli Avenue – during his stay in Georgia, the journalist regularly supported daily demonstrations. He has been administratively arrested several times for participating in protests and has been fined numerous large amounts. After his expulsion, protesters gathered in front of the parliament under the slogan: "Solidarity with Afghan".

Shortly before his deportation from Georgia, on March 31, Afghan Sadigov once again burned a photograph of the founder of the "Georgian Dream" Bidzina Ivanishvili on Rustaveli Avenue. Previously, at an event on February 23, Sadigov burned photographs of Bidzina Ivanishvili, Vladimir Putin, and the Kremlin, as well as a picture of a tank with a Russian flag.