On May 25, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev pardoned 154 prisoners through a decree titled “On Pardoning a Number of Convicted Persons.”
The decree resulted in the release of three individuals from imprisonment, a reduction by half of the remaining sentences for 52 prisoners, the release of one individual from a suspended sentence, and the removal of electronic bracelets from 28 people.
Additionally, the sentences of three individuals were halved, and two people sentenced to correctional work were released from their unserved sentences. Four people fined were freed from their punishments, and one person’s conviction was revoked.
However, human rights activists have expressed disappointment, noting the absence of any political prisoners among those pardoned. Azerbaijani human rights organizations estimate that around 300 people in the country are considered political prisoners.
Novella Jafaroglu, chairman of the Dilara Aliyeva Azerbaijan Women’s Rights Protection Society, commented to the Turan news agency that while the signing of amnesty orders is generally a positive step as it reunites people with their families, she regretted the exclusion of journalists with court rulings against them and others on their advocacy lists. Jafaroglu suggested that changes should be made to the composition of the Amnesty Commission, proposing that heads and editors of journalistic institutions and human rights defenders meet with President Aliyev to discuss the situation concerning journalists.
Rufat Safarov, executive director of the “Defence Line” human rights organization, also expressed disappointment that no political or conscience prisoners were included in the amnesty. He remarked that this exclusion marks the first time in recent years that such decrees have not included political prisoners, which he interprets as a lack of readiness by Azerbaijani authorities for legal and political reforms, despite international pressure and criticism.
Safarov emphasized that he had hoped for at least a few political prisoners to be released in light of international reactions, but found the outcome opposite. He suggested that the government’s stance might signal a disregard for international opinions, highlighting that this is the first amnesty in 30 years that did not include the release of any political prisoners, which he attributes to what he describes as the government’s politically motivated actions.
