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April 05, 2026 – Azerbaijan/Georgia –
Georgian authorities have deported Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadygov to Azerbaijan following a late-night arrest and expedited court ruling, a move that has triggered sharp criticism from rights groups and raised concerns about violations of international legal protections.
Sadygov, a known critic of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, was detained at his home in Tbilisi on the night of April 4. Authorities said the arrest was linked to an administrative offense for allegedly insulting a police officer on social media. Within hours, a court hearing was held in the early morning, and at approximately 4 a.m., a judge ordered his immediate deportation along with a three-year ban on reentering Georgia.
The speed of the process has drawn particular scrutiny. Lawyers and observers said the defense was given little time to present arguments, including documentation that could have allowed Sadygov to leave voluntarily for a European country where his family has asylum. Critics argue that the rushed proceedings undermined due process and suggested a predetermined outcome.
Sadygov was transferred to Baku shortly after the ruling. According to reports, he was briefly detained by Azerbaijani police upon arrival due to an existing case but was later released after checks were completed. His current status remains uncertain, with supporters warning that he could face renewed prosecution.
The case is particularly controversial because the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) had previously issued an interim measure blocking his extradition to Azerbaijan. Rights advocates argue that Georgia’s decision to deport him despite this safeguard raises serious questions about its compliance with international human rights obligations.
Sadygov had been living in Georgia after facing persecution in Azerbaijan, where he had previously been imprisoned for his reporting. His expulsion has prompted backlash from opposition figures and civil society groups in Georgia, who described the move as politically motivated and warned it could signal a broader erosion of democratic standards.
Analysts also point to the broader geopolitical context, noting that the deportation occurred just ahead of a planned visit by President Aliyev to Tbilisi, raising concerns about potential political coordination.
For press freedom advocates, the case highlights the precarious situation of exiled journalists in the region, where legal, political, and diplomatic pressures can converge to undermine protections and expose media workers to renewed risks in their home countries.
Reference –
Afghan Sadigov deported from Georgia detained by police in Baku, then released
Georgia expels Azerbaijani opposition journalist: timeline and questions over Afgan Sadygov’s case
