A group of Azerbaijani political, civil society, academic, and intellectual activists issued a statement expressing concern over the mass arrests, the imposition of harsh sentences, and the intensification of restrictions against South Azerbaijani activists in Iran.

According to the statement, over the past year, a significant number of Azerbaijani activists in various provinces have been arrested or imprisoned, while others have faced security-related charges and lengthy prison sentences.

The signatories also protested the denial of effective access to legal counsel for some defendants, security pressures, continued detention without a clear resolution, and the medical conditions of prisoners.

The statement names Araz Aman, Ayaz Seifkhah, Ayat Mehrali-Beyglu (Yorush), Amin Taghizadeh, Bagher Hajizadeh, Reza Salimi, Salar Taher Afshar, Siamak Mirzaei, Samad Heydari, Taher Naghi, Abbas Lisani, Abdulaziz Azimi-Qadim, Asgar Akbarzadeh, Ali Babaei, Ali Vasiqi, Fatemeh Atashi Khiaoui, Karam Mardaneh, Mohammad Maleki, Mahmoud Ajaghlu, Morteza Parvin, Vadud Asadi, and Yousef Kari as among the Azerbaijani prisoners.

The signatories further stated that dozens of other activists have been released on bail and are awaiting trial or the implementation of sentences already issued against them.

At the conclusion of the statement, the activists called on the United Nations Special Rapporteurs and Fact-Finding Mission, governments, and international human rights organizations to closely monitor the situation of Azerbaijani prisoners and the handling of their cases, and to take action to ensure fair trials, protect the health and dignity of prisoners, and safeguard their rights.