World · Middle East · 6 hrs ago
Azerbaijan charges Turkish columnist amid school headscarf dispute
Azerbaijan has charged Turkish columnist Celal Çiftçi over social media posts that prosecutors say called for a violent overthrow of the government and promoted religious extremism.
An Azerbaijani court issued an arrest warrant in his absence, and prosecutors say they have asked Turkish authorities for help; his whereabouts have not been given.
The investigation concerns posts shared after a September school-uniform decree, including material prosecutors say was made with artificial intelligence.
The decree does not explicitly mention headscarves, but girls wearing them have reportedly been turned away from schools, prompting protests.
The school rules have caused a public dispute between Turkey and Azerbaijan, close allies with strong political, military and cultural ties.
Turkish official Oktay Saral criticized the reported exclusions, while Azerbaijan’s ruling party accused him and Turkish lawmakers of interfering in the country’s affairs.
Çiftçi later apologized to Azerbaijan’s government and people, according to his social media post.
Azerbaijan charged Turkish columnist Celal Çiftçi with allegedly calling for the violent overthrow of the government and promoting religious extremism.
Prosecutors said the case concerns social media posts circulated after a September 21 decree on school uniforms.
The posts allegedly called for a coup and religious violence, including content generated using artificial intelligence.
The charges came amid a public dispute between Azerbaijan and Turkey over reports that headscarf-wearing girls were being turned away from Azerbaijani schools.
Azerbaijan’s ruling party defended the school rules as consistent with the country’s secular constitution and accused Turkish officials of interference.
- Who
- Celal Çiftçi, a columnist for the Turkish Şanlıurfa Olay newspaper.
- What
- Azerbaijan charged him with allegedly calling for a coup and promoting religious extremism. Authorities said he was declared internationally wanted and sought assistance from Turkish officials.
- When
- The charges were announced Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Azerbaijan. Çiftçi writes for a newspaper in Şanlıurfa, Turkey.
- Why
- Prosecutors linked the case to social media posts circulated after a September 21 school-uniform decree, which they said advocated a coup and religious violence.
Turkish officials and critics of the school rules
Azerbaijan’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party
School headscarf restrictions
Turkish officials and critics of the school rules
Oktay Saral criticized the exclusion of headscarf-wearing pupils and urged Azerbaijan to change course.
Azerbaijan’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party
The party defended the education rules as consistent with Azerbaijan’s secular constitution.
Comments on the dispute
Turkish officials and critics of the school rules
Saral and Turkish lawmakers criticized the restrictions.
Azerbaijan’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party
The party accused them of interfering in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs and warned that criticism could damage bilateral relations.
Azerbaijan issued a government decree on school uniforms.
Prosecutors said social media posts, including AI-generated material, allegedly called for a coup and religious violence.
Turkish presidential adviser Oktay Saral criticized the exclusion of headscarf-wearing pupils and urged Azerbaijan to change course.
Azerbaijan’s ruling New Azerbaijan Party accused Saral and Turkish lawmakers of interfering in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs.
Azerbaijan announced charges against Çiftçi and said he had been declared internationally wanted.
- Accused
- Celal Çiftçi
- Newspaper
- Şanlıurfa Olay
- Charges
- Alleged calls for a coup and promotion of religious extremism
- Decree date
- September 21
- Turkish official who criticized restrictions
- Oktay Saral
- Azerbaijan’s ruling party
- New Azerbaijan Party
3 sources
What people are saying
repeated calls to seize power in the Republic of Azerbaijan through a coup and the use of force
In the end you will be overthrown, you tyrant! Those who wage war on God are doomed to lose!
Who has the right to interfere in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs? We absolutely do not accept such a thing. We would punish anyone who attempts or undertakes it in the harshest possible way.
It is unacceptable to prevent headscarf-wearing students in Azerbaijan from receiving an education!