Ismayil Ismayilov
Additional Name(s): Ismayil Nizami oglu Ismayilov
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Azerbaijan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a
Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: March//2023
Date of Sentencing: January//2024
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Association
Nature of Charges: Drug Trafficking & Illicit Drug Use
Ismayil Ismayilov
Extra Bio Info:
Ismayil Ismayilov is imprisoned for his religious activity.
In March 2023, authorities arrested Ismayilov, a member of the unregistered Muslim Unity Movement, along with 30 others, accusing them of using religion to undermine Azerbaijan at the behest of Iranian intelligence services and planning to overthrow the current constitutional structure to establish a theocratic state. Ismayilov's arrest came amid a deterioration of relations between Azerbaijan and Iran and a crackdown on perceived religious Shi'a Muslims.
On an unspecified date, Ismayilov was sentenced to three years in prison for "illegally purchasing or storing without a purpose of selling narcotics or psychotropic substances in a quantity (amount) exceeding necessary for personal consumption" (Art. 234.1-1 ACC).