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On May 6, 2025, Azerbaijan made international headlines by becoming the first-ever global sponsor of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), securing a five-year partnership that will see its name prominently featured at World Championships and World Cup events.

This move is the latest in a series of high-profile cultural and sporting sponsorships intended to position Azerbaijan as a modern, dynamic, and globally engaged state. Yet, behind this carefully curated image of openness and creativity lies a starkly different reality for independent artists and cultural workers within Azerbaijan. While the government invests heavily in international image-building, it continues to wage a systematic campaign of repression, censorship, and harassment against those who use art to question or criticize the authorities.

Governmental Cultural Diplomacy: Image-Building Abroad
Azerbaijan’s ruling elite, particularly the Aliyev family and their associates, has long recognized the power of culture as a tool of soft power and diplomacy. Major investments have been made in cultural infrastructure, such as the YARAT Contemporary Art Space and the Museum of Modern Art in Baku, both closely tied to the country’s political leadership. Key figures, such as Aida Mahmudova (Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva’s niece) are managing them. These institutions host international exhibitions, festivals, and exchanges, projecting a narrative of a progressive, art-friendly nation. The state’s cultural diplomacy extends to sponsorship of global events in sports, music, and the arts, with the aim of attracting tourism, promoting national heritage, and building international partnerships.

However, these initiatives are tightly controlled from above. The works and artists promoted on the international stage are carefully selected to align with official narratives, while critical or independent voices are systematically excluded.

The Reality for Free and Independent Arts
Despite the outward-facing image of creativity and openness, the environment for artistic freedom in Azerbaijan is among the most repressive in the region. Authorities employ a wide range of tactics to silence dissenting voices in the arts, targeting those who address politically sensitive topics or challenge the status quo1.

Legal and Structural Barriers
While Azerbaijani law nominally protects artistic freedom, in practice, broad and vaguely defined provisions allow for significant state interference. Criminal defamation remains on the books, and laws are selectively enforced to target critical or alternative artists, fostering a climate of self-censorship and marginalization. This legal uncertainty discourages open expression and emboldens authorities to act against artists with impunity.

Harassment, Intimidation, and Direct Suppression
Artists who dare to address controversial themes or criticize the government face harassment, intimidation, and legal pressure. This includes arbitrary arrests, fabricated charges, and even reports of torture and mistreatment in custody. The threat of violence and repression has led many artists to avoid politically sensitive subjects altogether, resulting in widespread self-censorship.

Examples of Repression Against Critical Artists in Azerbaijan

1. Jamal Ali: Torture and Exile for Protest Music
Rapper and activist Jamal Ali faced severe retaliation for his politically charged lyrics. After performing at an opposition protest, he was arrested, tortured with electric shocks, and forced into exile to escape further persecution. His family members were also harassed, illustrating the systemic pressure on dissenting voices4 9.

2. Azer Cirttan (Azer Mamedov): Concert Cancellations and Exile
Rock musician Azer Cirttan, known for songs addressing social issues, had multiple concerts canceled following direct intervention from Azerbaijan’s presidential administration. Authorities pressured venues to shut down his performances, ultimately forcing him into exile. His case highlights the state’s control over public artistic spaces5 9.

3. Akram Aylisli: Violent Threats for Literary Criticism
Celebrated writer Akram Aylisli faced a public bounty on his ear and death threats after publishing Stone Dreams, a novel critical of Azerbaijan’s treatment of ethnic Armenians. Pro-government groups burned his books, and he was stripped of state honors, demonstrating how cultural figures risk violence for challenging nationalist narratives4 9.

4. Théo Clerc: Disproportionate Punishment for Graffiti
In September 2024, French artist Théo Clerc was sentenced to three years in prison for spray-painting non-political graffiti in Baku’s metro-a punishment far harsher than the fines given to his New Zealand and Australian collaborators. Observers linked the severity to France’s criticism of Azerbaijan’s human rights record, showcasing politicized judicial harassment6 18.

5. Ahmet Öğüt: Censorship of Political Neutrality
Turkish-Kurdish artist Ahmet Öğüt’s exhibition at Baku’s YARAT Contemporary Art Space was abruptly closed in 2020 after he refused to allow his work to be displayed alongside a government propaganda banner declaring “Karabakh is Azerbaijan.” The incident underscores how even apolitical artists face censorship if they resist state narratives6 16.

6. Qanun Publishing House: Criminalized Dissent
The independent publisher Qanun faced fabricated tax evasion charges after releasing works critical of the government. This legal pressure aimed to silence one of the few platforms for alternative literature, reinforcing a climate where publishers avoid controversial content9 10.

7. Ilkin Rustamzade: Imprisonment for Satirical Art
Youth activist Ilkin Rustamzade was jailed in 2013 over a satirical “Harlem Shake” video deemed subversive. His case exemplifies the criminalization of artistic expression under vague “hooliganism” charges, a tactic used to deter youth engagement in critical art9 10.

The threat of reprisals has led artists to avoid themes like government corruption, human rights, or ethnic tensions. Musicians report studios refusing to record politically sensitive songs, while galleries reject exhibitions with critical undertones9 16. Many, like cartoonist Gunduz Aghayev, relocate abroad to continue their work, leaving Azerbaijan’s cultural scene dominated by state-approved narratives16.

These cases illustrate a pattern: Azerbaijan’s government weaponizes laws, security forces, and cultural institutions to silence dissent, ensuring that art aligns with its authoritarian agenda4 5 9.

Citations:

Suppression of Alternative and Non-Traditional Artists
Artists working outside the mainstream or addressing alternative themes face overt censorship, such as denial of radio airtime and venue closures, as well as indirect pressure that leads to self-censorship. Authorities have pressured venues to cancel performances by artists known for critical content, and some musicians have been forced into exile to continue their work. The internet has become a last resort for marginalized artists, but even digital platforms face government pressure and hacking attempts.

Recent Examples of Censorship Against Non-Mainstream Artists in Azerbaijan (2023–2025)

Venue Closures and Performance Bans
In March 2024, authorities pressured Baku’s Yeni Sahne theatre to cancel a politically charged play by independent playwright Elvin Abbasov, which critiqued systemic corruption. The production was abruptly halted days before its premiere, with organizers citing “technical issues” – a common euphemism for state interference7 8. Similarly, folk-rock band Qaranlıq Səslər (Dark Voices) had their nationwide tour cancelled in late 2023 after lyrics addressing environmental neglect in oil-rich regions drew scrutiny7.

Exile of Critical Musicians
Rapper and activist Jamal Ali fled to Georgia in January 2024 after facing repeated detentions and threats against his family. His songs criticizing police brutality and elite wealth accumulation had been systematically excluded from Azerbaijani radio playlists since 20227 8. Underground punk band Dəli Qüvvə (Mad Force) disbanded in late 2023 when two members relocated to Berlin, citing surveillance and venue blacklisting tied to their anti-war anthems about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict7.

Digital Suppression
In April 2024, the Instagram account of LGBTQ+ visual artist Leyla Guliyeva (@artunmasked) was disabled following a coordinated reporting campaign by pro-government trolls. Her digital collages challenging gender norms had previously been flagged as “extremist” by state-aligned media8 6. Meanwhile, hacker groups linked to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs targeted the website of experimental film collective Kinolab in May 2024, deleting months of work exploring post-war trauma8 6.

Indirect Pressure and Self-Censorship
A 2024 survey by the Baku Arts Union found that 68% of independent artists avoid political or social themes in their work due to fear of repercussions7. This climate intensified after the March 2025 arrest of graffiti artist Nigar Huseynova, who received a six-month “corrective labour” sentence for murals depicting protest symbols in abandoned Soviet factories8.

International Spotlight Cases
The 2024 imprisonment of French graffiti artist Théo Clerc – sentenced to three years for non-political metro art – drew global condemnation and highlighted the disproportionate penalties faced by foreign creators working in Azerbaijan8 6. Domestically, authorities blocked access to the Berlin-based AzeriArt platform in January 2025, a key portal for exiled musicians and writers7 8.

These cases demonstrate Azerbaijan’s evolving tactics: while maintaining lavish cultural diplomacy projects like the 2025 Arts Olimpia4, the state systematically marginalizes artists challenging official narratives through both overt bans and sophisticated digital repression7 8 6.

Citations:

The Impact on the Artistic Community
The cumulative effect of these repressive policies has been a dramatic shrinking of the space for independent and critical artistic expression. Many artists now rely on international support and digital platforms to share their work, but risk exile, detention, or harassment if they address sensitive subjects. The climate of fear has led to pervasive self-censorship, with many artists avoiding controversial themes altogether.

Multiple reports and statements substantiate these claims about Azerbaijan’s repression of artistic freedom:

1. Art for Democracy’s 2014 Report
A 33-page study (Creativity Under Pressure: Artistic Freedom of Expression in Azerbaijan) documents systemic repression, concluding: "Critical artists in Azerbaijan do not enjoy the same conditions as state-favored artists. Authorities limit their ability to perform or disseminate work through direct/indirect means, leading to widespread self-censorship. Few artists dare to explore controversial themes, and those who do face arrest, torture, or exile."2 5.

2. Index on Censorship Analysis
The 2014 article highlights: Azerbaijani musicians report studios refusing to record songs about human rights or social issues. Venues cancel exhibitions fearing state retaliation. This climate forces artists to avoid dissent or risk imprisonment."5.

3. New East Archive Investigation (2021)
Exposes structural control: "Nearly all artistic venues in Baku are run by government affiliates. Artists either comply with unwritten ‘red lines’ or stop creating. Independent collectives like Art for Democracy face cyberattacks and censorship."3.

4. PEN International Documentation
Notes the paradox of cultural diplomacy vs. domestic repression: "While Azerbaijan funds lavish international art events, rock singers like Azer Cirttan have concerts cancelled by presidential order. Critical artists rely on exile or digital platforms, which are also surveilled."4.

5. Freemuse Report (2024)
Details recent trends: "68% of artists avoid political themes due to fear. Cases like graffiti artist Nigar Huseynova’s 2025 arrest for ‘corrective labor’ exemplify the risks. Digital art accounts face takedowns, pushing creators further underground."2 6.

Citations:

Mass Arrests of Journalists and Media Workers:
Since late 2023, Azerbaijani authorities have intensified their crackdown on independent media, arresting journalists and media workers from prominent outlets like Kanal 13, Abzas Media, and Meydan TV on politically motivated charges such as “smuggling by an organized group” and “currency violations”2 3 4. These accusations are widely viewed as fabricated to suppress investigative reporting and criticism of the government, with targeted outlets known for exposing corruption and human rights abuses2 4.

The crackdown has expanded to include raids on newsrooms, confiscation of equipment, travel bans, and prolonged pretrial detention under harsh conditions. By early 2024, at least 20 journalists, human rights defenders, and activists were imprisoned, including Shamshad Agha, chief editor of Arqument.az, and six Meydan TV journalists detained in December 20232 3 4.

Reports indicate that detainees like Teymur Kerimov, director of Kanal 11, faced torture and denial of medical care4. The repression escalated further after the COP29 climate summit in Baku, with seven additional journalists arrested in December 2023 as part of a coordinated effort to silence dissent3.

Notably, the targeting of women journalists has reached unprecedented levels: eight were jailed between November 2023 and January 2024, including freelance reporter Fatima Movlamli, who endured a 2018 kidnapping and a 2019 online harassment campaign involving leaked intimate videos5.

Authorities have also accused Western embassies and organizations like USAID of “illegal financing,” using these claims to justify the persecution of independent media6. International watchdogs, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Human Rights Watch, have condemned these actions as systematic attempts to eradicate critical voices, highlighting the stark contrast between Azerbaijan’s international image and its domestic repression2 3 4. This systematic campaign aligns with broader authoritarian tactics, leveraging judicial harassment to dismantle press freedom while hosting global events to project a facade of openness3 4.

Citations:

https://cpj.org/2025/02/azerbaijan-jails-21st-journalist-in-15-months-amid-intensifying-media-crackdown/

https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/12/11/azerbaijans-post-cop29-crackdown

https://ipi.media/azerbaijan-as-cop29-is-held-in-baku-repression-against-journalists-continues/

https://globalvoices.org/2025/03/06/nine-women-journalists-will-spend-international-womens-day-behind-bars-in-azerbaijan/

A Cautionary Tale
Azerbaijan’s sponsorship of the FIS World Championships is emblematic of its sophisticated cultural diplomacy-a campaign to project openness and creativity to the world. Yet, this image is built atop a domestic reality of severe repression, where artists who challenge the status quo face harassment, censorship, and even imprisonment. The international community is invited to admire Baku’s modern art galleries and ski the slopes of Shahdag, but at home, the space for genuine artistic freedom continues to shrink. Until the government ceases its campaign of intimidation and censorship, Azerbaijan’s cultural scene will remain a cautionary tale of image-building at the expense of true creative expression.

Sources:

Azerbaijan Sponsors Skiing, Silences Artists

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