Georgia Deports Azerbaijani Journalist Amid Aliyev's Visit to Tbilisi

Georgian authorities executed the deportation of independent Azerbaijani journalist Afghan Sadigov to Azerbaijan on Tuesday, coinciding with the day before Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's scheduled visit to Tbilisi. This controversial move has ignited significant backlash from human rights organizations and opposition figures, who argue that the deportation constitutes a blatant infringement of Sadigov's rights and freedoms.

During his visit to Tbilisi, President Aliyev, accompanied by Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva, engaged in discussions with Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. The primary focus of the state visit was on enhancing bilateral relations, regional security, trade, and transit projects that have been pivotal for both nations.

However, the diplomatic visit was overshadowed by the news of Sadigov's deportation, which occurred shortly after a court ruling in Tbilisi. This ruling was delivered just hours following Sadigov's arrest on charges of insulting the Georgian police on social media. According to reports from OC Media, this arrest served as the formal justification for his expulsion from the country.

Sadigov, who serves as the editor-in-chief of the independent YouTube channel Azel TV, fled to Georgia with his family in December 2023. He was detained on Saturday after posting a critical message on Facebook regarding the Georgian police, and subsequently deported after a Georgian court imposed a fine of 2,000 lari and prohibited him from re-entering the country for three years.

This incident is part of an ongoing struggle against extradition efforts. Sadigov had previously been arrested in Georgia in August 2024 based on charges brought forth by Azerbaijani authorities. Although the European Court of Human Rights later issued a temporary measure halting his extradition, Georgian officials claimed that this ruling was no longer applicable after Azerbaijan allegedly withdrew the initial case. Sadigov's attorney contested this argument, labeling it a formal method to circumvent the court's decision.

The situation highlights the complex relationship between Georgia and Azerbaijan, as well as the challenges faced by journalists operating in the region. Human rights advocates are calling for international pressure on Georgia to safeguard freedom of speech and human rights, particularly as cases of journalist persecution become increasingly prevalent in post-Soviet countries.