Azerbaijani government critic blogger was deported from Ukraine to Azerbaijan just days before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky paid an official trip to the capital city of Baku.
According to the Azerbaijan State Migration Service, Elvin Isayev was deported on 12 December. A criminal case was launched against him over charges of mass riots and anti-government calls on 15 August, the General Prosecutor’s Office reported.
On 17 December, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky had a meeting in Baku, where the two leaders discussed further development of bilateral ties between the countries.
According to lawyer Gulara Ilyasova, whose name is mentioned in the General Prosecutor’s Office’s press release, Isayev considers himself guilty and will not complain about the charges.
On 16 December, Isayev's relatives stated that they have signed a contract with lawyer Vugar Khasayev, who claims that he was not introduced to Isayev.
"That is why today I appealed to the General Prosecutor's Office and the Ombudsman. I stated that I was not allowed to protect the person I was supposed to protect. The rights of both me and the person I want to protect continue to be violated.”
The General Prosecutor’s Office remains silent on Khasayev’s allegations.
Isayev is one of many Azerbaijanis who live outside the country and is known for their critical and vulgar language about the government. The ruling family, particularly first lady Mehriban Aliyeva, has been a target in his video blogs.