In Tbilisi, near the government administration, a rally was held in support of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadygov, who is currently in extradition custody. Members of Sadygov's family, along with representatives from Georgian media and human rights non-governmental organizations, called on the authorities not to extradite the journalist to Baku.
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According to Sevinj Sadygova, the wife of Afgan Sadygov, she does not feel safe in Georgia and is also being threatened. "They are watching me and threatening me. If I continue to speak out against Ilham Aliyev, I will face problems, and my children will be in danger. They are threatening me through my children. I will not be silent; I will defend my husband to the end. Nothing can stop me because he is innocent. Yes, we do not feel safe in Georgia, as Aliyev's orders are being carried out here. This is a shame for Georgia. I appeal to the Georgian authorities to protect us," said Sevinj Sadygova.
Nona Kurdovanidze, chairwoman of the Association of Young Lawyers of Georgia, stated that the case of Afgan Sadygov does not meet international extradition standards. "We call on the authorities not to hand over the journalist to Azerbaijan, as this would violate Georgia's international obligations. A person persecuted in his own country for his activities would become a victim of political justice," said the human rights defender.
Gela Mtivlishvili, editor-in-chief of Mtis Ambebi, expressed serious concerns that Afgan Sadygov may face inhumane treatment, torture, and violence in Azerbaijan and may not receive a fair trial. "Given the current legal situation in Azerbaijan, this fear is absolutely real. We urge the Georgian government to uphold its obligations under international conventions and not extradite Sadygov to a country where his rights may be violated," said Mtivlishvili, who also recalled the case of another Azerbaijani journalist, Afgan Mukhtarli, who was kidnapped from Tbilisi and handed over to Azerbaijani authorities. A few days ago, the European Court of Human Rights found that both Georgia and Azerbaijan had violated articles of the European Convention in this case.
In recent months, several dozen journalists, human rights defenders, and political activists have been arrested in Azerbaijan. Afgan Sadygov, a critic of the government and chief editor of Azel.Tv, was arrested in Tbilisi on August 3. According to a decision by Georgian courts, he has been in extradition detention since August 4.
Lawyers have indicated that Sadygov requested international asylum in Georgia, which should suspend the extradition process, but the appeal court did not consider this factor. According to the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Azerbaijan seeks Sadygov on charges of threats and extortion. A case against him was initiated in Baku in May 2024, which, according to his family, is related to his activities and criticism of the government.
Afgan Sadygov had been living in Georgia since December 24, 2023. He had come for treatment but did not return to Azerbaijan due to threats and the start of a new wave of arrests of Azerbaijani journalists. About two weeks before his arrest in July, he attempted to travel to Turkey with his wife and two minor daughters, but Georgian border guards at Tbilisi International Airport did not allow him to cross the border. They did not arrest him at that time but informed him that he could only return to Azerbaijan. The Sadygovs do not feel safe in Georgia, which is why they wanted to leave the country.
The U.S. State Department has expressed concern over Afgan Sadygov's arrest and has called on the Georgian authorities to "immediately" release him.
Amnesty International and the International Press Institute (IPI) have also responded. Amnesty International stated that Georgian authorities should immediately cease attempts to extradite the journalist - consistent with international law and the principle of non-refoulement - and provide international protection if requested by Sadygov and his wife. However, Amnesty International noted that Sadygov's case reflects a broader trend of suppressing independent media in Azerbaijan.
