Freed Azerbaijani journalist in Tbilisi vows to continue fight against ‘dictatorship’

Recently released Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov on Thursday delivered a condemnation of Azerbaijan’s government, accusing it of systemic repression and warning that political arrests and killings will not silence dissent.

Speaking at a press conference following his release from prison, Sadigov expressed gratitude to those who supported him during his detention, including Georgian media outlets, international partners, and human rights lawyers.

“I would like to thank the Georgian media, because you have always put my issues on the agenda,” he said. “The Azerbaijani authorities may arrest or kill someone, but others will definitely come in their place.”

Sadigov claimed that there are currently around 400 political prisoners in Azerbaijan and said the “brutality of the regime is reaching its peak.”

The journalist, who has previously served multiple prison sentences, alleged that Azerbaijani authorities also targeted his family.

“Every time I was detained, they threatened to kill my young children,” he said. “I appealed directly to President Ilhan Aliyev, saying this is my struggle – don’t drag in my family. But dictators never change.”

He also referenced the deaths of other Azerbaijani dissidents, including Huseyn Bakikhanov – who was killed in Georgia in 2021 – and Bayram Mammadov, describing them as part of a broader campaign of repression against government critics.

Sadigov, who is currently in Georgia, also voiced concerns about political developments in his host country, drawing parallels between the Azerbaijani and Georgian governments.

“They call it the ‘Georgian Dream’, but this is not the dream of Georgians. No one dreams of dictatorship,” he said, in a pointed message to Georgia’s ruling party.

He urged the Georgian government to “retreat from the path they are on” and resist outside influence, specifically naming Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“The correct path is to love and serve your own people,” he added.
The journalist also addressed the recent court decision to set bail for his release, stating that he refuses to pay.

“I do not agree with the setting of bail and I am not going to pay it,” he said. “I think both Aliyev and [Georgian Prime Minister] Kobakhidze have squandered their countries’ budgets – I’m not paying for their corruption.”

Sadigov said he intended to remain in Georgia for now but acknowledged the risks.

“There is a danger here. But I will continue to speak out against dictatorship,” he said.