Azerbaijani human rights activist Anar Mammadli has been sentenced to 13 years in prison. The Human Rights House Foundation reported this on September 7.

The organization's director, Maria Dale, called the case politically motivated and stated that Mammadli was being punished for his many years of human rights work.

"Today is a day of deep sorrow and shame: Anar Mammadli, one of Azerbaijan's leading human rights defenders and our close and long-time colleague, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison," Dale said in a statement.

Mammadli is now 48 years old. He dedicated nearly 30 years of his life to protecting human rights, monitoring elections, and promoting democratic reforms in Azerbaijan. He founded the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center (EMDS), a part of the Azerbaijan Human Rights House.

The human rights activist was first arrested after the 2013 presidential elections. He was convicted of election observation activities. The European Court of Human Rights later ruled his detention unlawful and politically motivated.

Mammadli spent approximately two and a half years in prison and was released in 2016.

In 2014, he received the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, awarded by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

In April 2024, Mammadli was arrested again. This occurred after his participation in international human rights events at the UN and the OSCE. He was charged, among other things, with smuggling, illegal business activities, money laundering, and tax evasion.

Human Rights House considers these charges fabricated. The organization believes the current sentence is a continuation of Mammadli's persecution for his independent activities.

"There can be no doubt what this sentence is: a punishment for Mammadli's independent and legitimate work in defending human rights, monitoring elections, and upholding democracy in his country," Dale stated.

She also linked Mammadli's case to a broader crackdown on civil society in Azerbaijan. Dale stated that journalists, activists, academics, and human rights defenders face detentions, criminal prosecution, violence, and forced exile.

"We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Anar Mammadli and all those imprisoned for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights," the statement reads.

Dale also called on the international community and states maintaining relations with Baku to use diplomatic and political leverage to secure the release of Mammadli and other political prisoners. She emphasized: "Anar Mammadli must not become another forgotten political prisoner."