The president of Azerbaijan pardoned 51 political prisoners on March 16, 2019, ahead of the country’s New Year celebration called Noruz. Pardons are common during holiday celebrations, but generally do not include political prisoners. Several of those freed were featured in the #SetThemFree campaign, including Gozal Bayramli, Ilkin Rustamzade, Bayram Mammadov, and Giyas Ibrahimov. While the years they served on politically motivated charges remain a grave abuse of their rights, the World Movement is relieved that they have reunited with their families and friends.

Despite this positive news, the government has already re-arrested Bayram Mammadov and sentenced him to 30 days detention for giving a critical interview about his time in prison. Join us in calling on the government to free Bayram, alongside 73 political prisoners sill imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Among those prisoners are youth activist Fuad Ahmadli and journalist Seymur Hazi. Listen to Fuad and Seymur’s stories, as told by their family members in our #SetThemFree video series here.

Related:

Azerbaijani President Pardons Hundreds, Including Political Prisoners

Pardoned ‘political prisoner’ re-arrested in Azerbaijan

Foreign Policy Context of Azerbaijan’s Major Pardoning Act