'...Their family members 'freedoms are also endangered'

In a troubling development in Azerbaijan, Orkhan Hajili, the son of Arif Hajili, the head of the opposition Musavat Party, has been arrested and placed under a 2-month preventive measure. Officially, the reason for his arrest is linked to a car accident that occurred 20 days ago, in which fortunately no one suffered fatal injuries or serious harm.

However, this arrest has raised concerns and stirred discussions on social media platforms, where many believe that the families and relatives of opposition figures are being targeted in an effort to silence dissenting voices, free journalists, and activists in Azerbaijan. This pattern is not new, as some social media users have cited past cases, such as the arrest of the brother-in-law of Ali Karimli, the chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), as instances of alleged retaliation. Karimli's relative was sentenced to 7.6 years in prison on charges of fraud and abuse of power.

Fazil Mustafa, a member of the human rights committee of the Milli Majlis,  expressed his view on Orkhan Hajili's arrest, telling Turan that he lacks detailed information about the case and the circumstances of the accident. Mustafa emphasized that if there are no legal or investigative irregularities, arresting someone for a mere accident may not be relevant. He hopes that, given the absence of fatalities or serious injuries, it should be possible to conduct an investigation without resorting to detention.

Rufat Safarov, co-founder of the Human Rights Defense Organization "Defense Line," shared his point of view with Radio Azadlig shared his perspective, noting that engaging in politics in Azerbaijan and criticizing government branches is a perilous endeavor. He highlighted that political activists are not only at risk themselves but also their family members, who are often subjected to pressure and, in some cases, retaliation within the current system.

Safarov argued that Orkhan Hajili's arrest exemplifies this trend, as there is little doubt that he was arrested solely because of his relationship to Arif Hajili, even though such matters could typically be resolved administratively without resorting to detention.

The human rights activist went on to assert that Azerbaijani authorities have created a challenging environment for opposition parties, civil society institutions, and independent media. Nevertheless, he noted that despite these obstacles, the authorities continue to engage in repression. Safarov explained that undemocratic regimes tend to employ repressive measures, regardless of the strength of opposition efforts, as long as they remain in power.

Attempts to obtain comments from law enforcement agencies on these allegations were unsuccessful. Typically, they deny the presence of politically motivated arrests in the country, asserting that individuals are not discriminated against because of the political positions or activities of their loved ones. The situation underscores the ongoing tension between the government and its critics, both within and outside Azerbaijan's borders.