The Popular Front Party called the detention of Ali Kerimli politically motivated.

State Security Service officers detained the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Ali Karimli, and several activists. The party called the detentions politically motivated.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on the afternoon of November 29, security forces conducted searches of the home of the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), Ali Karimli, and his adviser, Mammad Ibrahim. Another party activist, Fariz Alizade, has not responded to calls.

The Popular Front Party (PFPA) issued a statement announcing the detention of Ali Karimli.

"Today it became known that the leader of Azerbaijan's democratic opposition, Chairman of the Popular Front Party (PFPA), Ali Karimli, was detained by officers of the State Security Service (SSS). The official reasons for the detention have not been disclosed. His home was also searched. "At the same time, a search was conducted at the home of PFPA presidium member Mammad Ibrahim, who was also detained," the statement, translated into Russian by a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, reads.

The party reported "the detention of several more activists."

"We declare that Ali Karimli's detention is purely politically motivated. In recent years, the authorities have effectively blocked his activities. Despite this, Ali Karimli remains one of the key figures in the democratic movement in Azerbaijan," the statement continued.

The party believes that Karimli's interviews with leading international media outlets and his invitations to global political forums are causing concern for the ruling regime.

"Today's detention should be seen as an attempt by the authorities to destroy the last independent political force in Azerbaijan and completely suppress the people's struggle for democracy and freedom," the statement continued.

The PFPA demands the immediate release of Ali Karimli, Mammad Ibrahim and other detained party members, and an end to the persecution of members and supporters opposition, ensuring detainees access to legal protection and guarantees for their safety.

"We call on the international community, human rights organizations, and democratic governments in Europe and around the world to respond immediately to these events and demand that the Azerbaijani authorities comply with their international human rights obligations," the document states.

Among the detained PFPA members is also Karimli's assistant, Faig Amirov (Amirli). He was taken to the State Security Service, the opposition leader's wife, Lala Amirli, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Security forces also came for Karimli's former bodyguard, Ruslan Amirov, but he was not home, party activist Gulnara Rahimova told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The pro-government news agency APA, citing sources, reported today that the search of Karimli's home is being carried out "as part of an investigation conducted by the State Security Service" in connection with the case against former head of the presidential administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev.

"Associating opposition leader Ali Karimli with Ramiz Mehdiyev, who has dedicated his life to serving the current criminal and corrupt regime, is a gross violation of the law and morality," reads a post on the Facebook page* of the Azadlyg newspaper, a publication associated with the PFPA.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, in November, PFPA members Farid Guliyev and Valishan Hasanovwere arrested administratively. Both opposition figures had recently been driving party leader Ali Karimli around in their cars. Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan member Faig Nagiyev has been sentenced to 30 days of administrative arrest. The party indicated that such persecution at the beginning On November 2, three activists were subjected to a defamation, calling it politically motivated.

On December 2, 2024, Ali Karimli was sentenced to a fine in a defamation case, although a private prosecutor had requested six months in prison. The Baku Court of Appeal upheld the guilty verdict.