The PACE rapporteur called the sentence against Anar Mamedli politically motivated.

The PACE rapporteur on political prisoners, Azadeh Rojan, and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, pointed out the political motivation behind the sentence against the head of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Training Center, Anar Mamedli. They called on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release the human rights defender and review the sentence handed down to him.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on September 22, 2025, at a court session in Baku, the head of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Training Center, Anar Mamedli, compared his case to the practices of Soviet repression. On July 24, the prosecution requested 14 years of imprisonment for Anar Mamedli and 13 years for Anar Abdulla. On September 7, the court sentenced Anar Mamedli to 13 years in prison, and activist Anar Abdulla to 12 years. Their lawyers stated about the political motivation of the prosecution and the lack of credible evidence of guilt.

The General Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on political prisoners Azadeh Rojan made a statement regarding the sentencing of Mamedli.

As noted in a statement received by the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" from the press service of the Council of Europe, Rojan stated that Mamedli "was found guilty on charges that apparently have a politically motivated nature, after a trial during which the basic guarantees of a fair trial were not ensured."

"I am shocked by this arbitrary sentence, handed down simultaneously with a 12-year prison term for journalist and co-defendant Anar Abdulla," emphasized the General Rapporteur of the Assembly.

In its recent resolution, PACE concluded that the pre-trial detention and criminal prosecution of Mamedli were apparently applied solely for political reasons, which indicates that his case meets the definition of a political prisoner adopted by the Assembly, she reminded. The sentence handed down by the court only confirms this conclusion and further exacerbates the already dire human rights situation in Azerbaijan, added Rojan.

"There is no place for political prisoners in Europe. The conviction of Mr. Mamedli is clearly incompatible with Azerbaijan's international obligations, including obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights," the PACE representative further noted.

She called on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release Mamedli, ensure an independent review of the sentence handed down to him, and also "release all other human rights defenders and journalists who are imprisoned for carrying out their professional activities and exercising their fundamental rights."

The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty also made a similar call to the Azerbaijani authorities following the sentences of Mamedli and Abdulla.

"I am deeply concerned about the prison sentences handed down to Anar Mamedli (13 years) and Anar Abdulla (12 years). The Azerbaijani authorities must release all human rights defenders, journalists, and activists who are imprisoned for their lawful activities and expression of critical opinions," he wrote on social media X.

The defense is preparing an appeal

The defense has begun preparing an appeal in Mamedli's case, his lawyer Elchin Sadigov reported to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

According to him, the defenders have 20 days from the date of the sentence to file an appeal, and the complaint will be submitted within the established time frame.

Abdulla's lawyer Gunay Ismailova also reported the start of the appeal process against the sentence.

Previously, activists of the international campaign to end repression in Azerbaijan, ahead of the second anniversary of Anar Mamedli's arrest, also called for the release of the human rights defender.