In September 2026, Azerbaijani human rights defender and election observer Anar Mammadli was sentenced to 13 years in prison after a flawed trial.

Omissions

• The specific sentencing date is 7 September 2026, consistent with the MEP's statement of 'September 2026'.
• Mammadli was also disqualified from holding certain positions/public office in addition to the prison term.
• The charges included 'currency smuggling' and other counts that rights groups describe as fabricated; the trial was condemned as politically motivated.
• Mammadli had previously been convicted and imprisoned in 2013 for his election-monitoring work, a pattern of repeated prosecution of the same individual.

Sources

• SecondaryAmnesty InternationalOn 7 September 2026, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes sentenced Anar Mammadli to 13 years in prison on charges including "currency smuggling"... part of the shocking scale of the crackdown on dissent.
• SecondaryFIDH (International Federation for Human Rights)On 7 September 2026, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes sentenced Mr Anar Mammadli to 13 years in prison and disqualified him from holding certain [positions].
• SecondaryFront Line DefendersOn 7 September 2026, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes sentenced human rights defender Anar Mammadli to 13 years in prison on charges including 'illegal [currency operations/smuggling]'.
• SecondaryHuman Rights House FoundationOn 7 September 2026, the Baku Court on Grave Crimes sentenced prominent human rights defender Anar Mammadli to 13 years in prison.