Azerbaijan’s government has intensified its suppression of political dissent with the detention of prominent opposition figure Ali Karimli, chairman of the Popular Front Party, on Saturday. The move represents a significant escalation in President Ilham Aliyev’s ongoing campaign against opposition voices.
According to Karimli’s adviser Fuad Gahramanli, security forces conducted searches at the opposition leader’s residence while simultaneously cutting off his communication channels. The operation extended to Mammad Ibrahim, another senior party official, who faced similar detention and property searches.
While authorities remain officially silent regarding the detentions, government-aligned media outlets have linked the actions to an ongoing criminal investigation targeting Ramiz Mehdiyev, former head of the presidential administration. Mehdiyev, currently under house arrest, faces serious allegations including attempted seizure of state power, high treason, and financial crimes—though official confirmation of these charges remains pending.
Human rights organizations document a concerning pattern of escalating repression in Azerbaijan, where authorities systematically target journalists, activists, and independent political figures. The Aliyev dynasty, which has maintained power since 2003 when Ilham succeeded his father Heydar, has consistently suppressed political opposition through various means.
International observers have repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of Azerbaijan’s electoral processes since the nation gained independence from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. The oil-rich Caspian nation of approximately 10 million people continues to face criticism for its record on democratic principles and human rights protections.