A Talysh from Russia has been arrested in Baku on charges of inciting hatred.

A citizen of Russia, Hafiz Ismailov, who arrived in Baku for the anniversary of his father's death, has been detained on charges of inciting hatred. The Talysh community in Azerbaijan has linked his arrest to the practice of persecuting Talysh activists.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", despite the absence of formal discrimination based on nationality, activists and researchers dealing with issues of ethnic and cultural rights of national minorities, including Talysh, often fall under pressure from the authorities in Azerbaijan.

A representative of the Talysh diaspora in Russia, Hafiz Ismailov, has been arrested in Azerbaijan, a representative of the Talysh community in Azerbaijan told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" today.

There was no information about Hafiz Ismailov's fate for almost two weeks.

He explained that Ismailov came to Baku for the anniversary of his father's death. "On September 6, Hafiz Ismailov and his brother were taken by security forces from their sister's apartment in the Binagadi district of Baku. However, after some time, the brother was released. There was no information about Hafiz Ismailov's fate for almost two weeks. Then the family was officially informed that Hafiz Ismailov is being held in the detention center of the State Security Service. He has been charged under Article 283 (incitement of national, racial, social, or religious hatred and enmity) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Initially, he had a court-appointed lawyer. But later, relatives hired another lawyer for his defense, but he has not yet been able to meet with Ismailov," the source said.

According to him, Ismailov is a citizen of the Russian Federation, has lived in Nizhny Tagil for a long time, served in the police, and resigned from the service five years ago.

He did not show any activity related to political life.

"To be honest, we do not understand the reason for Hafiz Ismailov's arrest. He did not show any activity related to the political life of Azerbaijan. Hafiz Ismailov only reposted publications on social networks defending the rights of Talysh arrested in Azerbaijan and critical materials about the socio-economic life in Azerbaijan. However, he did not have any anti-government calls, and he did not promote any interethnic enmity. Probably, Ismailov has become yet another target in the policy of persecuting Talysh with an active civic position. All this is covered by false narratives about 'Talysh separatism', while Talysh consider Azerbaijan their country and have always been at the forefront of defenders of Azerbaijani statehood," said the community representative.

He emphasized that currently, Talysh activists Ruslan Vakhabov and Aslan Gurbanov, and researcher Iqbal Abilov are being held in Azerbaijani prisons on fabricated charges, which human rights defenders have recognized as political prisoners.

The lawyer Tural Mamedov, engaged in Ismailov's defense by his relatives, refrained from any comments, explaining to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" that he has not yet met with Ismailov personally. The correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" was unable to obtain comments from the State Security Service.

20:53 11.06.2026

Abilov stated in court that his persecution is part of systemic discrimination against Talysh

The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan upheld the sentence of researcher of Talysh culture Iqbal Abilov. The court's refusal to provide a translator from Talysh, as well as the persecution itself, Abilov called discrimination against Talysh. The defense intends to file a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights.

It should be noted that according to the Union for the Freedom of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan, as of May 13, 2026, there are five Talysh activists and researchers on the list of political prisoners compiled by this organization: Aslan Gurbanov, Mikhafiz Jafarzade, Ruslan Vakhabov, Iqbal Abilov, and Zakhiraddin Ibrahimov.

Three of them have already been convicted and are serving their sentences: blogger Aslan Gurbanov, sentenced in 2021 to seven years in prison on charges related to inciting national hatred and separatism; activist Ruslan Vakhabov, sentenced in 2024 to four years on charges of illegal drug trafficking; and researcher of Talysh culture Iqbal Abilov. Two others - historian Zakhiraddin Ibrahimov and activist Mirkhafiz Jafarzade - are under arrest on charges related to treason and are awaiting sentencing.

Human rights organizations link the persecution of all five activists to their social, scientific, and cultural activities aimed at studying, preserving, and promoting the Talysh language, history, and identity, while Azerbaijani authorities deny allegations of political motivation in these cases.