Queer TikToker detained on charges of “propaganda of immorality”

On January 27, queer TikToker Salman Mammadov was detained in Azerbaijan.

His detention came amid new changes to the law on “propaganda of immorality” and was justified by the fact that sharing on social networks is considered “petty hooliganism.”

According to Qafqazinfo, Salman Mammadov was accused of sharing information prohibited from being disseminated on Internet information resources. Salman Mammadov runs the “Velizarofficial” page on the TikTok platform, and his live broadcasts have attracted approximately 80,000 users.

The incident occurred shortly after the amendments to the Law on Information, which were officially adopted on January 26. According to the law, individuals who openly demonstrate disrespect in society, insult public morality and national values, or use unethical expressions, can be held administratively liable.

After news of the detention spread on social media, some users expressed regret, recalling that Salman Mammadov was engaged in charity work and helped sick people and children. LGBTQI+ activist Ali Malikov, speaking to the OC-Media, said that there was nothing illegal in Mammadov's posts and that it is questionable who defines the concept of "public morality" and by what criteria.

On January 28, the Press Council of Azerbaijan issued a statement claiming that "swearing, insults, immoral behavior and hate speech" are widespread on the TikTok and YouTube platforms, and that this increases aggression in society. The Council did not clarify the concept of "national and moral values."

Why local queer media matters and how you can help

For regions like the South Caucasus and Azerbaijan in particular, independent queer media is not a luxury — it’s a lifeline. Mainstream outlets often ignore or misrepresent queer experiences, while official sources exclude them altogether. This is where Minority Azerbaijan has become indispensable, producing investigative reporting, lived experience narratives, contextual analysis, and educational content in English and Azerbaijani.

If you value independent queer journalism grounded in lived realities, expert insight, and fearless reporting, consider supporting Minority Azerbaijan through Patreon. Subscriptions help fund in-depth articles, multimedia stories, community reporting, and advocacy journalism that would otherwise go untold. For €3 a month your support makes it possible for queer voices from Azerbaijan to be seen and heard especially in environments where visibility itself is risky.

Support independent LGBTQ+ media today — 

become a Minority Azerbaijan Patreon subscriber.

Powered by Froala Editor