On September 13, the trial of public activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev continued at the Baku Serious Crimes Court. During the session, the testimonies of the five remaining witnesses, who had not appeared in court previously, were read out. Hajiyev once again accused the judges of deliberately delaying the trial and violating Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The court then began reviewing documents and started viewing a video recording of the incident between Hajiyev and the recognized victim, Ulviya Muradova (Alovlu), in the Yasamal District Court. The initial reason for Hajiyev’s arrest was this incident. The video review will continue at the next hearing on September 20.
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev was detained on December 9, 2022, following a complaint from journalist Ulviya Alovlu. He was initially charged under Articles 221 ("hooliganism") and 289 ("contempt of court") of the Criminal Code. In July 2023, charges were added under Articles 192 ("illegal entrepreneurship"), 193-1 ("money laundering"), and 206 ("smuggling") of the Criminal Code. On November 7, 2023, an additional charge under Article 213.1 of the Criminal Code (failure to pay taxes, unemployment insurance, and mandatory medical and social insurance contributions) was also brought against him.
Hajiyev denies all charges and claims that he is being persecuted for criticizing the authorities and calling for international sanctions against Azerbaijani officials and security forces involved in repression. Human rights advocates have recognized him as a political prisoner.
Politics
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At today’s meeting, the CEC reviewed the complaints filed by Wafa Nagi, a candidate for the 70th Neftchala electoral district and a public activist. She requested that the results of the vote at 23 polling stations be declared invalid due to serious violations and fraud. Wafa Nagi submitted 86 video recordings and photos of 49 protocols.
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On September 13, a representative from the Georgian Migration Service conducted a second interview with Afghan Sadygov, the founder of “Azel TV”, at the Tbilisi pretrial detention center, where he is seeking asylum. According to Sadygov's wife, Sevinc Sadygova, the interview lasted from 10:30 AM to 4:45 PM. She stated that the Migration Service and the Georgian government will announce their final decision on Afghan Sadygov's application by the end of September.
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On September 13, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan declared the results of the parliamentary elections invalid at the 30th polling station of the 21st Nasimi-Binagadi district. This decision was made following a complaint from Gylagi Aslanli, a candidate from the Musavat party. As usual, this ruling did not affect the overall outcome in the district, where the leading candidate from the ruling party “Yeni Azerbaijan”, Malahat Ibragimgizi, is in the lead.
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PhD student Fazil Gasimov, who has been on hunger strike for 92 days in protest against his "unlawful detention," has requested a meeting with representatives from the UN and the International Red Cross. Today, his brother, Nazim Gasimov, visited him at the Medical Facility of the Penitentiary Service. According to Nazim, Fazil Gasimov's health is worsening daily.
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