Arrest of Musavat Party Chairman's Son Sparks Political Controversy in Baku

Bakı/02.10.23/Turan: In a case that has stirred political discussion in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, Orhan Hajyla, the son of Arif Hajyla, chairman of the Musavat party, has been placed under arrest for a period of two months. The decision was reached during a trial led by Judge Rashad Javadzade at the Yasamal District Court.

Orhan Hajyla was apprehended on October 31 and is facing charges under Article 263.1 (Violation of road rules resulting in negligent harm to a victim's health) and Article 264 (Leaving the scene of a traffic accident) of the Criminal Code. However, he vehemently denies these charges and pleads not guilty.

The violation of these articles carries penalties ranging from fines of five to seven thousand manats, correctional labor for up to two years, restriction of liberty for up to two years, or imprisonment for up to two years, accompanied by a suspension of driving privileges for the same duration.

Arif Hajyla, chairman of the Musavat party, has characterized his son's arrest as an act of reprisal and alleges that it is politically motivated. In an interview on the program "A Difficult Question," he elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

According to Hajyla, the traffic incident occurred approximately 20 days prior to Orhan's detention. He pointed out that several websites had reported on the incident, and video footage had circulated on social media platforms. The reports initially painted Orhan as the culpable party, alleging that he had engaged in risky maneuvers, exceeded speed limits, and left the scene of the accident.

Hajyla emphasized that the information was distributed without proper investigation and appeared to be biased. He questioned the accuracy of these claims, noting that Facebook users could not have identified the driver's identity or that he was his son. He suggested that the selective release of information indicated a political motive behind the incident.

Hajyla also highlighted that such traffic incidents are commonplace in Baku and occur on a daily basis. While accidents do happen, they often do not result in injuries or require medical attention. Leaving the scene of a traffic accident is generally considered a criminal act if it involves injuries necessitating ambulance services or hospitalization. Moreover, it is uncommon in Azerbaijani judicial practice to detain individuals accused of such offenses.

Hajyla's stance is that the case against Orhan Hajyla is politically motivated and serves as a means of exerting pressure on the Musavat party and its leadership. The arrest has ignited a heated debate in Azerbaijan's political landscape, with proponents of the Musavat party contending that it is emblematic of broader challenges related to political dissent and freedom of expression in the country.