Head of "Azel.TV website" Afgan Sadygov not allowed to leave Georgia

Head of “Azel.TV website” Afgan Sadygov has not been allowed to fly from Tbilisi to Ankara on 17 July. He was detained at the border and passport control and returned back, he told Agency.

According to Sadygov, he was told that he could not go to any other country except Azerbaijan.

‘I was not told who imposed the ban on entry to third countries. I was offered to seek clarification from the Georgian Interior Ministry,’ Sadygov said and admitted that the ban came from Baku.

“It is related to my critical posts and videos lately. At present, there are no criminal cases against me, but I know that as soon as I return to Azerbaijan, I will be arrested like other critical journalists.

I have been threatened in Georgia and my relatives in Azerbaijan, demanding that I stop criticizing. Therefore, we want to leave Georgia,’ Sadygov said.

He noted that he has been living in Georgia since 24 December 2023. Sadygov traveled to Georgia for medical treatment and did not return back because of threats.

* Afgan Sadygov was arrested in May 2020 on charges of extortion and sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment. He denied the charge. Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner. In May 2023, he was pardoned.