After the European Court's decision, the head of the "AzelTV" YouTube channel, Afghan Sadigov, ended his hunger strike.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled to suspend the extradition of Afghan Sadigov, the head of the "AzelTV" YouTube channel, from Georgia to Azerbaijan. According to a statement from the Social Justice Center operating in Georgia, the court made this decision based on Rule 39 (which applies in cases of imminent risk of irreparable harm).

This decision prohibits the extradition of Afghan Sadigov to Azerbaijan until the case is reviewed substantively by the Strasbourg court. Following this decision, Sadigov ended his hunger strike, which had lasted for 161 days.

On January 10, 2025, the Social Justice Center appealed to the ECHR, requesting the application of a temporary measure to halt Sadigov's extradition to Azerbaijan due to the high risk of human rights violations. This mechanism is used when there is a significant risk of violating human rights, and states must refrain from actions that contravene the Convention.

Afterward, the Georgian government submitted its position to the court, requesting the temporary measure not be extended. The government argued that there would be no risk if Sadigov were extradited to Azerbaijan.

The Social Justice Center has stated that the Georgian government has completely disregarded the documented practice of systematic persecution and torture of journalists in Azerbaijan, as well as the personal experience of Afghan Sadigov, who has been subjected to political persecution due to his journalistic activities.

Due to the worsening situation from his hunger strike, Afghan Sadigov is currently staying at Medical Facility No. 18. He will need to undergo a difficult and lengthy rehabilitation process, requiring proper medical management and support.

Afghan Sadigov was arrested in Tbilisi on August 3, 2024, at the request of Azerbaijani law enforcement. On January 31, 2025, the Tbilisi City Court granted the prosecutor's request and extended Sadigov's extradition detention for an additional 3 months.

According to Georgian law, the maximum detention period for extradition purposes is 9 months. The deadline for this period for Afghan Sadigov’s case will expire on May 3. The Social Justice Center has stated that the Georgian government will not be able to extradite him, and the case may take years to be substantively reviewed.