Over the past decade, authorities in Azerbaijan have prosecuted hundreds of activists, journalists, and public figures on politically motivated charges like drug possession, tax evasion, illegal entrepreneurship, and even treason. In September 2018, the Working Group on a Unified List of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan presented a list of 130 political prisoners. However, these prisoners are more than statistics—they are husbands, wives, colleagues, friends, sons, and mothers.

In a new video series for the #SetThemFree Campaign, we speak with the families and friends of five political prisoners to learn more about their cases and what life is like after citizens have been unjustly taken from their communities. Listen to the stories of Seymur Hazi, Ilkin Rustamzade, Ilgar Mammadov, Giyas Ibrahimov, and Fuad Ahmadli here. Stand in solidarity with them by sharing their stories with your networks, and let the government of Azerbaijan know that they will not be forgotten.