Heads of NGOs imprisoned in Azerbaijan: the list has been expanded with one more name

The State Security Service (SSB) conducted an operation in Balakan district related to corruption and official misconduct.

As a result, the head of Executive Authority (EA) Islam Rzayev and several officials were detained. I. Rzayev had been serving as the head of EA of Balakan district since 2011, and his detention added to the list of EA heads already in custody.

BAKU.WS with reference to Oxu.Az recalls some of the Executive Authority heads who are in custody, and their sentences:

1. Former head of EA of Imishli district Vilyam Hajiyev: detained by the SSB in May 2020 and sentenced by the court to 12 years imprisonment. By the decision of the Supreme Court, the sentence was reduced to 8 years and 6 months.

2. Former head of EA of Bilasuvar district Mahir Guliyev: sentenced to 11 years imprisonment, but by the decision of the Supreme Court, the sentence was reduced to 8 years 3 months.

3. Former head of EA of Neftchala district Ismayil Veliyev: was detained by the SSB while receiving a bribe. Sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, in February 2024 at a Supreme Court hearing, the sentence was reduced to 6 years 2 months.

4. Former head of EA of Jalilabad district Namig Zeynalov: sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, in 2023 the sentence was reduced by the appellate court to 11 years 9 months.

5. Former head of EA of Shamkir district Alimpasha Mammadov: arrested in April 2021, imprisoned for 11 years 6 months. The sentence was reduced by the appellate court to 10 years 6 months.

6. Former head of EA of Agstafa district Nizameddin Guliyev: died in September 2021 from COVID-19. He was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment.

7. Head of EA of Yevlakh city Goja Samadov: sentenced to 7 years 3 months imprisonment, but the sentence was reduced by the appellate court to 5 years 9 months, and in 2023 he was released.

8. Former head of EA of Kurdamir district Jeyhun Jafarov: detained in 2020 and sentenced to 8 years 6 months imprisonment. The Shirvan appellate court reduced the sentence to 6 years, and the Supreme Court reduced it to 4 years 6 months. He was released in February 2025.

9. Head of EA of Gakh district Musa Shekiliyev: detained by the SSB in June 2025 and arrested on charges of misappropriation of state property. In July, a preventive measure in the form of arrest for 4 months was chosen, and in October this period was extended for another 4 months.