Activists Detained Over Aliyev Criticism Ahead of Ankara Summit
Turkish authorities detained and subsequently released several activists and media representatives who criticized Ilham Aliyev over school and public sector hijab bans in Azerbaijan. The legal actions unfold against a backdrop of diplomatic friction between Ankara and Baku ahead of the Organization of Turkic States summit scheduled for October 29–30, 2026, in the Turkish capital.
Police Interrogations in Istanbul and Ankara
The judicial scrutiny centers on public statements and social media posts targeting Aliyev and his administration’s religious policies. Among those targeted are managers associated with Köklü Değişim Medya, identified as the Turkish media organ of the pan-Islamist organization Hizb-ut Tahrir. Muhammed Emin Yıldırım, the Köklü Değişim Medya İstanbul Temsilcisi, was taken into custody by Istanbul police on charges of “yabancı bir ülkenin devlet büyüklerine hakaret” (insulting foreign state leaders). During his interrogation, Yıldırım stated that his remarks constituted political criticism and that he was supporting victims of hijab bans similar to those his family experienced during the February 28 period.
Yıldırım was released. Concurrently, Ahmet Sapa, the Hatay representative for the media outlet, was detained by police over his own digital commentary regarding the diplomatic dispute. In Ankara, activist Fatih Erşahin appeared before security forces as a suspect regarding critical posts directed at Aliyev, Hakan Fidan, and Binali Yıldırım. Erşahin confirmed his release following questioning, declaring that he stood by his statements and criticizing the domestic legal proceedings.
Erdoğan, Aliyev, and the UN General Assembly Catalyst
The domestic crackdown in Turkey mirrors an escalating diplomatic rift prompted by high-level Turkish commentary on Azerbaijani domestic affairs. The controversy intensified after Recep Tayyip Erdoğan implicitly addressed the headscarf restrictions during the United Nations General Assembly in September. President Aliyev subsequently addressed external criticisms during the 7th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku. Aliyev defended his administration’s independence, questioning whether foreign actors possessed the moral authority to dictate governance to a sovereign state.
Baku’s Countermeasures and Political Casualties
Baku has responded robustly to the external pressure. The General Prosecutor’s Office of Azerbaijan issued arrest warrants and red notices for seven individuals in Turkey who protested the restrictions. Furthermore, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs barred 31 Turkish citizens from entering the country, a list that includes Yeniden Refah Partisi Genel Başkanı Fatih Erbakan, HÜDA PAR Genel Başkan Yardımcısı Yahya Uğraş, DEM Parti Kocaeli Milletvekili Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, gazeteci-yazar Yusuf Kaplan and Adem Özkese. The political fallout also claimed a domestic casualty in Ankara, where Cumhurbaşkanı Başdanışmanı Oktay Saral announced his resignation following public criticism of the Baku administration.
