Sevich Sadigova, the wife of Azerbaijani journalist Afghan Sadigov, led a protest near the Azerbaijani Embassy in Tbilisi on Monday, demanding the release of her husband and other “political prisoners” in Azerbaijan.
The rally, which included Sadigova’s children and human rights defenders, featured placards reading: “Freedom to Azerbaijani political prisoners,” “Freedom to Afghan Sadigov,” and “Ilham Aliyev is a dictator.”
Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who is currently in Tbilisi for the UN Climate Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan, joined the protest. Thunberg, who plans to demonstrate against the conference, expressed solidarity with the Sadigov family.
Sevich Sadigova addressed the crowd, speaking out against the treatment of her husband and the dangers to his health.
She accused the Azerbaijani government of political persecution, saying, “The Afghan case is not considered political, I don’t expect anything from the court. The court will fulfill Aliyev’s order to the end.” She drew parallels between the judicial systems in Azerbaijan and Georgia, stating, “The court here is exactly the same as our court.”
Sadigova also expressed concern over her husband’s deteriorating health, revealing that doctors have warned he could fall into a coma at any moment. “His life is in danger,” she said. Sadigova further claimed that both Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Georgian political figures, including former Prime Minister and the ruling Georgian Dream party Honorary Chair Bidzina Ivanishvili, have threatened her. “Let Aliyev order me to be killed or arrested. This is not the life I want,” she added.
The protest coincided with the Tbilisi City Court’s deliberation on Sadigov’s case regarding his status for international protection. Sadigov, editor-in-chief of the Azerbaijani news outlet Azel.Tv, was arrested in Tbilisi on August 3, 2024, after arriving in Georgia in December 2023. Despite intending to leave the country, he was detained at the airport two weeks before his scheduled departure.
On August 4, the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Sadigov to three months of extradition detention, which was extended for an additional three months on November 1. The case has drawn attention from human rights groups, who continue to call for his release.
