According to the results of the preliminary investigation, Bakhtiar Hajiyev is charged under 8 articles of the Criminal Code

A preliminary investigation has been completed against the public activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, his lawyer Rovshana Rahimli told Turan.

She noted that according to the results of the investigation, Hajiyev is charged under Articles 192.1 (illegal entrepreneurship), 193-1.3.2 (legalization of large-scale funds or other property obtained criminally), 206.1 (smuggling), 213.1 (tax evasion), 221.2.2 (hooliganism associated with resistance to a representative of the authorities),  289.1 (disrespect for the court), 320.1 (forgery or illegal production of a certificate or other official document, falsification of stamps, seals, forms), 320.2 (use of deliberately forged documents) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

Hajiyev denies all charges and considers them fabricated. After the accused and the lawyers have familiarized themselves with the materials of the criminal case, they will be sent to the Baku Court for Serious Crimes. In Azerbaijan, punishment is imposed by partially summing up the terms under the articles of the charge or absorbing a longer term with a smaller one. Among the charges, Hajiyev faces the longest sentence under Article 193-1.3.2 - up to 12 years in prison.

* Bakhtiar Hajiyev was detained on December 9, 2022 on charges of hooliganism under Articles 221 and 289 (disrespect to the court) of the Criminal Code. In July of this year, he was charged under Articles 192 (illegal entrepreneurship), 193-1 (legalization of proceeds from crime) and 206 (smuggling) of the Criminal Code. All the charges are fabricated. The reason for the arrest and charges is punishment for criticizing the authorities, Bakhtiar Hajiyev is convinced.

Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner.