Afət Ziyadqızı
A criminal case has been opened over alleged attempts to seize power by force in the Republic of Azerbaijan, forcibly change the constitutional order, and incite religious hatred and enmity.
Investigations were launched based on information received by the Prosecutor General’s Office that various individuals, including Celal Çiftçi, a Turkish citizen born in 1975 and a columnist for the Şanlıurfa Olay newspaper, had shared social media content aimed at seizing power by force in the Republic of Azerbaijan and inciting religious hatred and enmity through violence, the Prosecutor General’s Office press service told Operative Information Center-OMM.
The investigation found that, following a Sept. 21, 2026, decision by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, materials containing religious radicalism—including content created using artificial intelligence—were repeatedly disseminated. The materials allegedly called for a coup and the seizure of power by force in Azerbaijan, the forcible change of the constitutional order, and the incitement and promotion of religious hatred and enmity through violence. Repeated calls were also made under various radical-themed headlines.
The Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan opened a criminal case on Oct. 16, 2026, under Articles 281.2 (repeated public calls aimed at seizing power by force in Azerbaijan or forcibly changing the constitutional order), 283.2.1 (inciting religious hatred and enmity through violence on grounds of religious hostility, religious radicalism or religious fanaticism) and 167-3.1 (preparing, possessing and distributing materials that call for, justify or advocate the necessity of carrying out religious extremist activity). The Prosecutor General’s Office’s Investigation Department was instructed to conduct the preliminary investigation.
“Celal Çiftçi has been charged in the criminal case and placed on an international wanted list. Requests for international legal assistance are currently being sent to the competent authorities of the Republic of Türkiye to conduct relevant investigative actions concerning him and other individuals. Other necessary measures are also being taken within the framework of international cooperation mechanisms.
“As part of the preliminary investigation, necessary investigative actions are continuing to objectively, fully and comprehensively examine the content of the information cited above and other materials of this nature, the circumstances of their preparation and distribution, and other relevant facts; to provide a legal assessment of the acts; and to make a decision in accordance with the requirements of the law,” the statement said.
The Prosecutor General’s Office urged everyone to refrain from distributing content that promotes religious hatred and enmity, use social media responsibly and comply with the law in order to protect religious tolerance, mutual respect and public solidarity.
