Echoes of Resistance: From Julius Fučík’s Gallows to Azerbaijan’s Prisons
The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS) recalls the powerful legacy of Julius Fučík, whose life and writings stand as a testament to the resilience of journalists and political prisoners confronting oppression. While Julius Fučík the composer (1872–1916) is remembered for his musical contributions, it is Julius Fučík the journalist (1903–1943) whose voice from a Nazi prison cell continues to inspire defenders of truth and freedom.
Arrested by the Gestapo in Prague in April 1942 for his anti-Nazi activism, Fučík secretly documented his imprisonment in Pankrac, writing on cigarette papers that were smuggled out by a sympathetic guard, Adolf Kolínský. These writings, published as Notes from the Gallows, revealed both the brutality of fascist repression and the courage of a journalist unwilling to surrender his convictions. Though Fučík was executed in 1943, his work remains one of the most widely translated Czech books and a symbol of resistance against totalitarianism.
Parallels in Today’s Azerbaijan
Today, Fučík’s testimony echoes in Azerbaijan, where 375 individuals are recognized as political prisoners. Among them are journalists, human rights defenders, opposition activists, national minority representatives, anti-war advocates, and a large number of religious believers. Their cases, like Fučík’s, illustrate how authoritarian regimes weaponize the justice system to silence dissent.
Journalists are routinely charged with fabricated crimes such as “state treason,” “extortion,” “drug trafficking,” and “smuggling.” Polad Aslanov, founder of Xeberman.com and Press-az.com, was sentenced to 16 years in 2020 for “state treason” after reporting on corruption. Ulvi Hasanli, director of Abzas Media, was arrested under “smuggling” charges, with allegations that police planted evidence. Similarly, journalists from Meydan TV, including chief editor Sevinj Vagifgyzy, were targeted under false “smuggling” accusations. Despite knowing she would be arrested upon return, Vagifgyzy came back to Azerbaijan, later receiving the U.S. State Department’s “Champions of Anti-Corruption” award.
Human rights defenders face the same fabricated charges. Anar Mammadli, head of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Centre (EMDS), was accused of “smuggling” after reporting electoral fraud, while Rufat Safarov, director of Line of Defence, was arrested on baseless “fraud” and “hooliganism” charges just before receiving an international human rights award.
Religious believers, who make up 241 of the 375 political prisoners, are disproportionately accused of “drug trafficking,” with reports of planted evidence, forced confessions, and torture. Leaders and members of the Muslim Unity Movement (MUM), such as Taleh Bagirzade, Samir Babaev, and Agaali Yahyayev, have endured beatings, electric shocks, and threats of sexual violence to coerce confessions.
A Pattern of Abuse
The testimonies of Azerbaijani political prisoners reveal disturbing parallels with Fučík’s time:
- Torture and Ill-treatment: Prisoners report beatings, electric shocks, psychological pressure, and threats against families.
- Fabricated Evidence: Drugs or money are routinely planted by law enforcement.
- Denial of Legal Rights: Prisoners are denied access to lawyers, families, or fair trials.
- Political Motivation: Charges consistently target those critical of government corruption, independent media, opposition activity, or peaceful religious practice.
Our Call
The IRFS asserts that the courage of Julius Fučík lives on in the voices of Azerbaijan’s unjustly imprisoned. His Notes from the Gallows were a cry against Nazi brutality. Today, the testimonies of Azerbaijani political prisoners serve as evidence of ongoing repression and as a reminder of the universal struggle for freedom.
We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to:
- Release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally.
- End the use of torture and fabricated charges against journalists, activists, and believers.
- Guarantee freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and the right to political participation.
The IRFS urges the international community to stand in solidarity with Azerbaijan’s prisoners of conscience and to act decisively in defense of human rights and democratic freedoms.
Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS)