Azerbaijani blogger sentenced in absentia to 7 years for anti-state calls

An Azerbaijani court has sentenced blogger Imameddin Alimanov to seven years in prison in absentia for repeatedly making public calls against the state, the news portal haqqin.az reported.

The Baku Serious Crimes Court, chaired by judge Huseyn Huseynli, issued the verdict under Article 281.2 of the Criminal Code — repeated public appeals directed against the state. Alimanov had been living abroad and was declared wanted by the Binagadi District Court on May 27, 2021.

Authorities accuse the blogger of regularly posting statements deemed incitement against the government.