Gultekin Hajibeyli, a member of the National Council and former MP, was deported from Turkey to Azerbaijan early this morning on Monday.
Her sudden return has triggered debate over what grounds states use to expel foreign nationals – and whether other Azerbaijani activists abroad could be at similar risk.
Speaking to Globalinfo.az, lawyer Hikmat Aliyev explained that deportation is a legally defined process of forcibly removing a foreign national or stateless person.
“Governments apply deportation only under specific conditions,” Aliyev said.
“This includes cancellation of a visa or residence permit, declaring the person undesirable, lack of legal grounds to remain after release from detention, or denial of refugee status.”
A foreign national may also be deported if they violate migration rules, overstay their visa, present false documents, or pose risks to public order.
Aliyev stressed that deportation does not automatically mean return to the country of citizenship.
Legally, states may send a person to:
their home country;
the country from which they arrived;
or, in the case of stateless individuals, to a third country willing to accept them.
The final destination depends on legal status and diplomatic conditions.
Hajibeyli’s name has appeared in the so-called “Ramiz Mehdiyev case,” adding a political layer to an already sensitive situation. Analysts suggest that today’s incident may signal broader pressure on Azerbaijani opposition figures residing abroad.
