human rights defender
Ahmad Mammadli
Actions and Campaigns
© Social Media
Urgent support needed
Independent medical examination, international monitoring of prison conditions
Organization affiliation
- Yoldash Media
HRD's year of birth
2001
HRD's Gender
Man
Type of HRD
- Journalist/Blogger
HRD's thematic area of engagement
- Civil and political rights
HRD's geographical origin
Urban
HRD's bio and work
Ahmad Mammadli is an Azerbaijani journalist, human rights defender and pro-democracy activist. He previously chaired the Democracy 1918 (D18) Movement and founded Yoldash Media, an independent platform covering labour rights, political repression and court proceedings.
Mammadli has faced repeated pressure connected with his civic activities. In September 2022, while leading D18, he was sentenced to 30 days of administrative detention. On 6 May 2025, he was detained in Baku and accused of stabbing a man during an alleged dispute in a shared taxi. He denied the allegations, stating that he had been attacked and that the case was fabricated in retaliation for his journalistic and socio-political activities.
On 16 March 2026, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Mammadli to six years’ imprisonment for causing serious bodily harm. On 14 May 2026, the Baku Court of Appeal rejected his appeal and upheld the sentence.
Current Status
In prison (sentenced)
Detained since
May 6, 2025
Charge(s)
- Other
Sentence
6 years' imprisonment
Latitude: 38.740207513777655
Longitude: 48.76715454197866
Geolocation of detention
Country or area of detention
Region of detention
- Asia: Western Asia
Location of detention - City/Town
Lankaran
Location of detention - Facility
Lankaran Penitentiary Complex
Allegations / reports of ill-treatment
Ahmad Mammadli reportedly suffered beatings during his arrest on 6 May 2025 and was subjected to electric shocks after refusing to disclose his phone’s passcode. A blow to his eye reportedly caused prolonged blurred vision, raising concerns because he had previously undergone eye surgery. His supporters have also reported that he suffers from asthma. Mammadli has alleged continuing ill-treatment in detention, and the Committee to Protect Journalists has called for an independent investigation.
Recent case update / evolution
On 14 May 2026, the Baku Court of Appeal rejected his appeal and upheld the sentence.
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