A grenade is allegedly said to have been found in his car.
It has been reported that Elmir Sadigov, the uncle of political exile Tural Sadigli, has been arrested.
Tural Sadigli claims that his uncle was falsely accused and arrested because of his political activities.
According to him, his uncle was charged under Article 228.1 of the Criminal Code (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, or carrying of firearms, their components, ammunition, explosives, or explosive devices). He was arrested on April 24 by the decision of Judge Elnura Rajabova of the Sabunchu District Court.
A few days ago, Tural Sadigli had mentioned on the “Azad Soz” (Free Word) channel that he had received threats about his parents being falsely accused and imprisoned due to his political activities.
“Azerbaijani police supposedly found a grenade in my uncle’s car. This is a lie, a slander. This is all because of me and the activities of the ‘Azad Soz’ channel. My uncle rents a place in the Bakikhanov settlement of the capital. Through his lawyer, we learned that a day before his arrest, someone had broken into his home. When he returned, he noticed his mobile phone and an amount of 400 (currency not specified) were missing. He immediately called the landlord. The next day, the police entered the house. A man named Agha was with them. They told my uncle, ‘Your phone was stolen. We found the thief.’ But my uncle had never reported it to the police. In reality, this person Agha works for the police. The police then showed my uncle a photo of a grenade on his phone, which they had planted there earlier, and said, ‘Why is this photo on your phone?’ Then they took him and his Opel Corsa car to the 13th Police Department of the Sabunchu District.”
“In the department, they told my uncle that if he wanted, he could either take responsibility for the grenade himself or they would plant drugs on him. My uncle said, ‘Write whatever you want.’ He agreed because they threatened to falsely accuse and imprison my parents. Considering my father’s old age and health issues, my uncle signed the statements under pressure and threats. This setup involved officers from the 13th Police Department, including Mahammadali Jumshudov, Sabunchu district prosecutor Ibrahim Lambaranski, judge Elnura Rajabova, and police captain Ilgar Asadov.”
Sadigli added that after he made the threats against his parents public a few days ago, the decision to arrest his uncle followed.
“My uncle Elmir Sadigov will turn 60 next year—he doesn’t carry grenades around. I believe they will try to frame my family, my uncle, and my father under ‘terrorism’ charges. We are being punished because of the political activities of me, my father Alovsat Sadigli, and the ‘Azad Soz’ channel. They are demanding that we back down from our stance. Ilham Aliyev, give orders to your ministers and law enforcement agencies to release my uncle Elmir Sadigov immediately. Do you think I’ll stop my activities? Even if you arrest my father or shoot my family members, I will not back down.”
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not responded to Meydan TV’s inquiry regarding the matter.
Tural Sadigli, currently in exile, regularly appears on the “Azad Soz” channel with strong criticism of the government.
Because of his activism, several of his relatives have been detained in Azerbaijan in recent years. His brother Elgiz Sadigli was even imprisoned on charges of drug possession and disobeying police orders.
They have claimed that the arrests were fabrications aimed at pressuring Tural Sadigli. However, law enforcement authorities have denied these claims. Officials state that no one in Azerbaijan faces discrimination or pressure because of a relative’s political stance.
Earlier in 2025, the Prosecutor General’s Office opened a criminal case against several exiles, including Tural Sadigli, under various charges.
Tural Sadigli is accused of inciting mass unrest and other illegal activities.
Sadigli has been placed on the wanted list, and an in-absentia arrest warrant has been issued for him.
He has rejected the accusations made against him and linked them to his critical activities.
