On January 15, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals rejected the appeal of Afghan Sadigov, the founder of the Azel TV website, who had protested his extradition to Azerbaijan. Sadigov’s wife, Sevinj Sadigova, stated that this was the final judicial instance in Georgia making a decision on the case, Turan reported. On the other hand, lawyer Mariam Kvelashvili informed Turan that the defense would continue legal steps to prevent the extradition of Afghan Sadigov. According to his wife, Afghan has been on hunger strike for 117 days, and his health is critical.
* Afghan Sadigov and his family arrived in Georgia in December 2023, fearing persecution. In July, he was not allowed to leave Georgia for Türkiye, with authorities saying he could only return to Azerbaijan.
In August, at Azerbaijan's request, Sadigov was detained. He is accused of extortion in Baku, and extradition is being sought. Since September 21, he has been on hunger strike in protest of his arrest and the refusal to grant him asylum.
On October 8, as a result of the hunger strike, his health worsened, and he was transferred to a prison hospital. Georgian authorities refused to grant him political asylum. On November 28, the Tbilisi City Court ruled in favor of his extradition to Azerbaijan.
Politics
-
On February 15 and 18, 2025, the website Day.az published articles containing defamatory allegations about the activities of the Turan news agency. In these materials, the author attempts to portray the agency as dependent on Western funding and subordinated to the interests of foreign entities.
-
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova has decided to unilaterally terminate the Moldovan-Russian agreement from 1998 on the creation and operation of cultural centers.
-
By the order of the head of state, Rufat Mahmud has been appointed the new head of the historical and architectural reserve "Icheri Sheher" – the historic center of Baku.
-
On February 13, the Appeal Court did not satisfy the defense's appeal against the decision of the Khatai Court regarding the arrest of journalist Shahnaz Beylargizi. According to the lawyer, the journalist herself did not participate in the trial due to poor health. The defense intends to submit a petition to replace the arrest with house arrest.
Leave a review