Movsum Samadov

Extra Bio Info:

Movsum Samadov was imprisoned for criticizing religious freedom conditions and for his political activity.

On January 7, 2011, authorities arrested Samadov, head of the Islamic Party of Azerbaijan, following a traffic stop.  He was initially charged with failing to comply to a lawful order by a police officer (Art. 310.1 CAO); however, the arrest followed a high-profile speech Samadov made days before on January 2, 2011, in which he denounced President Ilham Aliyev over the ban on wearing religious headscarves in schools and other issues facing the country.  The same day Samadov was arrested, the Narimanov District Court sentenced him to 13 days in administrative detention.  During this process, Samadov was reportedly unable to hire a lawyer of his own choosing.

On January 20, 2011, the final day of his administrative detention, Samadov was charged with "preparing a crime" (Art. 28 ACC), "preparing terrorism committed on preliminary arrangement by group of persons, by organized group or criminal community (criminal organization)" (Art. 214.2.1 ACC), "preparing terrorism committed with application of fire-arms or subjects used as a weapon" (Art. 214.2.3 ACC), "illegally purchasing, transferring, selling, storing, transporting, and carrying firearms, accessories, supplies, and explosives committed by organized group" (Art. 228.3 ACC), and "actions directed on violent capture power or violent deduction power" (Art. 278 ACC).

On October 7, 2011, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Samadov to 12 years in prison.

In March 2017, Samadov was reportedly placed in a punishment cell for five days for praying in prison.

On January 19, 2023, Samadov was released after completing his sentence.

On January 24, 2024, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) published an interview with Samadov on the first anniversary of his release from prison. Samadov spoke about the current state of religious freedom in Azerbaijan, his time in prison, and how he is not allowed to leave the country.