The trial of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev has begun

Baku/29.12.23/Turan: A preparatory meeting on the case of public activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev has begun in the Baku Court of Serious Crimes under the chairmanship of Judge Ali Mammadov. During the background check, when the judge informed about Hajiyev's detention in the pre-trial detention center, the activist made a remark that he was not a prisoner, but a "hostage".

The court granted the defense's request for permission for lawyers to meet with Hajiyev in the pre-trial detention center (after the start of the trial, lawyers must submit new permits to the pre-trial detention center), as well as providing defenders with a new copy of the volume of the criminal case, which was poorly printed. The judge left the consideration of the motion for videotaping the process for the next meeting.

When Hajiyev said that he had received the indictment only yesterday, the judge postponed the hearing, since according to the law, the accused must receive this document at least a week before the start of the trial. The next court hearing is scheduled for January 7. Bakhtiar Hajiyev was detained on December 9, 2022 on charges of hooliganism under the Articles 221 and 289 (disrespect to the court) of the Criminal Code.

In July of this year, he was charged under the Articles 192 (illegal entrepreneurship), 193-1 (legalization of proceeds from crime) and 206 (smuggling) of the Criminal Code. On November 7, Hajiyev was also charged under Article 213.1 of the Criminal Code (tax evasion, unemployment insurance payments, compulsory medical and social insurance).

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.-21B06-