Court Review: June 15–17, 2026

Court proceedings involving politicians, civil society representatives, and journalists

1. On June 16, a court hearing was held at the Baku Court of Appeal regarding the appeal against the decision to extend the pre-trial detention measure imposed on the chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Ali Karimli.

The court did not satisfy the appeal.

On June 10, the Sabail District Court granted the motion of the investigative body and extended the detention measure imposed on A. Karimli for a period of five months.

A. Karimli was arrested on November 29 of last year by the State Security Service.

The detention was linked to the criminal case opened after the arrest of the former head of the Presidential Administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev.

Ali Karimli has been charged under Article 278.1 of the Criminal Code — actions aimed at the violent seizure of power and the violent alteration of the constitutional order of the state.

2. On June 17, the final court hearing was held at the Ganja Court for Grave Crimes in the case of Asaf Ahmadov, head of the Ganja Regional Community Center, who was arrested within the framework of the “NGO case.”

During the hearing, the state prosecutor requested the court to sentence A. Ahmadov to ten years of imprisonment.

In his final statement, A. Ahmadov rejected the charges brought against him and stated that there was no crime at all.

He noted that the goal was to silence a person who wanted to do something for civil society.

According to the court verdict, Asaf Ahmadov was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment.

A. Ahmadov was arrested in April of last year. He was charged under Articles 193-1.3.2 of the Criminal Code — legalization of property in a significant amount obtained through criminal means, 308.2 — abuse of official powers causing serious consequences, and 313 — official forgery.

3. On June 17, Anar Arkivan, a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, was arrested for 30 days.

Anar Arkivan was administratively arrested under Article 535.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

While A. Arkivan was driving his private car, a traffic police officer stopped him and, claiming that he was talking on the phone, intended to issue a fine. He stated that he had not been talking on the phone.

Later, the activist was taken to the 17th division of the Narimanov District Police Department. After being held there for one day, the Narimanov District Court ordered his administrative detention for 30 days.

4. On June 17, a preparatory hearing was held at the Khazar District Court under the chairmanship of Judge Elbay Allahverdiyev in the criminal case of six religious women.

During the hearing, the defendants stated that they had not been acquainted with the criminal case materials and the indictment.

For this reason, the court hearing was postponed until July 1.

Nigar Baghirova, Khoshgadam Guliyeva, Sharghiyya Sadiqova, Arzu Huseynova, Ayten Ibrahimova, and Shahla Farajova were detained on August 15, 2025, in the Bina settlement for distributing charity food during the 40th-day mourning ceremony of Imam Hussein.

Criminal proceedings were initiated against the religious activists under Articles 221.3 of the Criminal Code — hooliganism, and 233 — organizing actions leading to a disturbance of public order or active participation in such actions.

Court proceedings related to corruption and state institutions

1. On June 16, judicial investigation was concluded at the Baku Court for Grave Crimes under the chairmanship of Judge Fakhri Mammadov in the criminal case of Colonel Rasim Ildirimzade, Chairman of the Public Educational Center of World Azerbaijanis and founder of the “Bakutime.az” website Zaur Mirzazade, and former head of the Balakan District Election Commission Goshgar Mammadov, who are accused of fraud amounting to more than half a million manats.

At the hearing, the state prosecutor requested the court to sentence Rasim Ildirimzade, Zaur Mirzazade, and Goshgar Mammadov to twelve years of imprisonment each, replace their current preventive measure with detention, and arrest them directly in the courtroom.

After the defense lawyer’s speech, the defendants delivered their final statements.

After that, the verdict was announced.

According to the verdict, Rasim Ildirimzade was sentenced to nine years, nine months, and fourteen days; Zaur Mirzazade to ten years, three months, and thirteen days; and Goshgar Mammadov to nine years, nine months, and sixteen days of imprisonment.

All three were immediately arrested in the courtroom.

Rasim Ildirimzade, Zaur Mirzazade, and Goshgar Mammadov are accused of committing fraud in especially large amounts in collusion. They were charged under Article 178.4 of the Criminal Code — fraud committed in especially large amounts.

2. On June 17, a preparatory hearing was held at the Baku Court for Grave Crimes under the chairmanship of Judge Vugar Guliyev in the criminal case of a minor accused of shooting his teacher at the private “Idrak” Lyceum in Baku.

During the hearing, the personal details were clarified.

The defendant’s lawyer, Rashad Mirmehdizade, filed a motion, stating that his client had not reached adulthood and requested that the proceedings be held behind closed doors.

In addition, he also requested the court to replace the detention measure with house arrest.

The lawyer stated that at the time of committing the act, the defendant was not aware of what he was doing and committed it under the influence of the internet and video games.

The lawyer also stated that reconciliation had been reached with the victim. A certificate regarding the minor’s good behavior while in detention, as well as his academic diplomas, were submitted to the court.

The state prosecutor proposed that the detention measure remain unchanged. The motion regarding holding the trial behind closed doors was left to the discretion of the court.

After deliberation, the decision was announced.

According to the decision, the criminal case was referred for trial on the merits, and the hearing was scheduled for July 1. The detention measure imposed on the defendant remains in force.

The motion to conduct the trial behind closed doors was also not granted.

The incident occurred on February 6 at the private “Idrak” Lyceum located in the Binagadi district of the capital.

A criminal case was opened by the Binagadi District Prosecutor’s Office. E.Sh. was formally charged under Articles 29 and 120.2.2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan — attempted murder motivated by hooliganism.

3. On June 17, a court hearing began at the Baku Court for Grave Crimes under the chairmanship of Judge Babek Panahov in the criminal case related to a fire in a multi-story residential building in the Yasamal district, which resulted in the deaths of three people.

At the hearing, the personal details of the defendant, Bakhruz Pashayev, director of the “Loft Dent” clinic, and the victims were clarified.

The state prosecutor proposed that the detention measure imposed on the defendant remain in force and that the case be referred for trial.

The defense filed a motion to return the case to preliminary investigation, stating that another person involved in the incident should also be brought as a defendant.

The victims’ side also supported the same demand.

The court did not satisfy the motions and decided to refer the case for trial while maintaining the detention measure imposed on Bakhruz Pashayev.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 30.

As a result of the incident, Arzu Gambarli, born in 2018, the head of the Baku National Clothing House Konul Humbatova, and Samir Mammadov died from smoke inhalation. In addition, twenty-six other people suffered smoke poisoning.

Bakhruz Pashayev, the legal representative of “TAXES GROUP” LLC, which had rented the non-residential premises in the building where the incident occurred, and director of the “Loft Dent” clinic, was detained and charged under relevant articles of the Criminal Code, and a detention measure was imposed on him.

Court proceedings involving separatists

1. On June 16, the hearing of appeals filed by citizens of the Republic of Armenia — Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others — continued at the Baku Court of Appeal under the chairmanship of Judge Elmar Rahimov, with the participation of Judges Emin Mehdiyev and Mehriban Garayeva.

The presiding judge asked the defense whether they were ready to present their arguments. The defense stated that they were ready.

Defendant Davit Ishkhanyan requested a confidential meeting with his lawyer. His motion was granted.

Then the floor for the defense speech was given to the lawyer of defendant Levon Mnatsakanyan.

In his speech, the lawyer asked the court to acquit L. Mnatsakanyan on exonerating grounds.

Afterward, L. Mnatsakanyan spoke, stating that he supported the arguments made by his lawyer and presented his own reasoning.

The next court hearing will take place on June 23.

According to the verdict of the Baku Military Court dated February 5, 2026, Arayik Harutyunyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, David Manukyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, and David Babayan were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to twenty years, Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan to nineteen years, Garik Martirosyan to eighteen years, Davit Allahverdiyan and Levon Balayan to sixteen years, and Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Erik Ghazaryan to fifteen years of imprisonment.

They are accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure of power, and numerous other crimes resulting from Armenia’s military aggression against Azerbaijan.