Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Azerbaijan: Second 2018 conscientious objector conviction

(18.09.2018) For the second time in 2018, an Azerbaijani court has given a young conscientious objector a criminal conviction for refusing to perform compulsory military service. Agdam District Court handed 19-year-old Vahid Abilov a one-year suspended prison term on 6 September, and he will be under probation for one year. He is planning to appeal against his conviction. Three more similar cases might follow.

Azerbaijan: Conscientious objector given a one year prison sentence

Call to send protest letters

(17.10.2012) War Resisters' International has learned that 19 year-old conscientious objector, Fakhraddin Mirzayev, has been sentenced to one years' imprisonment. Fakhraddin, who is a Jehovah's Witness, was given a one-year prison sentence on 25 September by a court in Gyanja, and has lodged an appeal.

Azerbaijan: Conscientious objector two weeks in army

(10.08.2012) Jehovah’s Witness Amid Zohrabov, from Lokbatan near Baku, was forcibly conscripted into the army when he was summoned on 23 July by the local Conscription Office, Jehovah’s Witnesses complained to Forum 18. Members of this religious community worldwide are pacifist and refuse to do any form of military service.

Azerbaijan: No alternative military service until Karabakh resolution

(16.02.2012) There can be no discussion about alternative military service as long Azerbaijani land remains occupied, a senior MP has said. Siyavush Novruzov, a member of the Azerbaijani parliament’s Security and Defence Committee, told journalists that alternative service could not be considered until resolution of the conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh, Gun.Az reported. The MP from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party said there was no need to make changes to the rules for conscription.