Participants of the Baku conference demand the protection of Bonaire's rights

On August 22, the trial of activist Ilhamiz Guliyev, who was arrested on drug charges, continued at the Baku Serious Crimes  Court. During the trial, a witness, former deputy chief of the 27th Police Department of the Yasamal district, Anar Rustamov, testified. He stated that he had not personally seen Guliyev but had received information that Guliyev had been detained and found in possession of drugs. However, Guliyev claimed that Rustamov had personally exerted psychological pressure on him, demanding that he confess to owning the drugs; otherwise, he would face severe violence. The police officer denied these allegations. The next hearing in Guliyev's case is scheduled for September 12, when the final witness is expected to be questioned.

The economist and scholar is requesting the president's assistance in securing his release and has reported being subjected to torture by law enforcement authorities. Gasimov expressed his belief that the president and his team aim to "lead the country not into the darkness of the Middle Ages, but into a bright future." He hopes that the head of state will show humanity in his case, stating, "Humanity is not a sign of weakness, but a trait characteristic of strong people."

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, accompanied by First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, arrived in the Republic of Uzbekistan on Thursday, marking a state visit aimed at deepening bilateral ties between the two historically and strategically aligned nations.

Today, the Khatai District Court of Baku rejected the defense's petition to transfer investigative journalist Hafiz Babali to house arrest. The defense argued that the preliminary investigation is  coming to an end, and there is no reason to keep the activist in custody, Rashad Aliyev,  Babali's lawyer, told Turan. Moreover, Babali has serious health  problems; he is visually impaired. Additionally,   his health has also worsened because of varicose veins in his leg. Babali rejects the new charges, as well as the previous one of smuggling, and attributes his arrest to his professional journalistic activities and investigations into corruption.