Two Azerbaijani musicians who insulted the country’s president during a concert in Baku are said to have been tortured by police while in detention. Jamal Ali of the band Bulustan criticised President Ilham Aliyev and his late mother during a concert at an opposition rally on Saturday. After an argument with concert organisers, he was dragged away by police with bandmate Natiq Kamilov and a third man. A court charged all three with hooliganism and sentenced them to 10 days’ detention. During the hearing the two musicians said they had been beaten by police and were refused contact with their families or lawyers.
NEWS
Azerbaijan: Musicians tortured
Two Azerbaijani musicians who insulted the country’s president during a concert in Baku are said to have been tortured by police while in detention. Jamal Ali of the band Bulustan criticised President Ilham Aliyev and his late mother during a concert at an opposition rally on Saturday. After an argument with concert organisers, he was dragged away […]
By Marta Cooper
23 Mar 12
By Marta Cooper
READ MORE
-
The week in free expression: 19–25 April 2025
Index rounds up of some of the key stories covering censorship and free expression from the past seven days
-
When trade wars become culture wars
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly under pressure to repeal hate speech laws in order to secure a favourable trade deal with the USA
-
The week in free expression: 12–18 April 2025
Index rounds up of some of the key stories covering censorship and free expression from the past seven days
-
Celebrating Europe’s biggest bullies
Who’s made the most effort to throw legal threats at the little guys? A tongue-in-cheek round-up of the European SLAPP Contest 2025