Trial in the case of  Bakhtiyar Hajiyev

The trial of public activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev continued in the Baku Serious Crimes Court on Friday. The court heard testimony from the secretary of the Yasamal district court session about the conflict between Hajiyev and the victim Ulviya Muradova (Alovlu) two years ago. He stated that Hajiyev and Muradova insulted each other, and Hajiyev hit her "several times".

In response, Hajiyev asked the witness why he said this during the proceedings at the Yasamal police, and spoke only a year later at the Baku Police Headquarters. Hajiyev drew attention to the identity of the testimony of this witness with another court employee, Orhan Abdullayev, who was also recognized as a victim.

According to Hajiyev, 80% of the testimony of these two persons coincide and accused the witness of lying.

Next, the civil plaintiff, a representative of the Ministry of Taxes, spoke, who reported that Hajiyev had not paid taxes under the simplified system and for subletting 52 thousand manats.  She pointed out that due to the absence of financial documents, taxes were accrued based on the activities of a similar company.  However, Hajiyev said that he was ready to provide all the documents and that the tax authorities would re-do the calculations. In this regard, the judge said that the management of the representative of the Department of Taxes could answer this question.   

Hajiyev further pointed out that 15 witnesses had not yet been heard at the trial. He suggested that in order to speed up the trial, their testimony should be read out at the preliminary investigation.

In this regard, the judge said that subpoenas would be sent to the witnesses once again and if they did not come, then with the consent of the state prosecutor, a decision could be made to announce the testimony of witnesses at a preliminary hearing.

The next court hearing is scheduled for July 26.

*Hajiyev was detained on December 9, 2022, following a complaint by journalist Ulviya Alovlu. At first, he was charged under Articles 221 ("hooliganism") and 289 ("contempt of court") of the Criminal Code.

In July 2023, he was charged under Articles 192 ("illegal entrepreneurship"), 193-1 ("legalization of proceeds from crime") and 206 (smuggling) of the Criminal Code.

On November 7, 2023, an accusation appeared under Article 213.1 of the Criminal Code (tax evasion, unemployment insurance payments, compulsory medical and social insurance).

Hajiyev denies all charges and says he is being persecuted for criticizing the authorities and calling for international sanctions against Azerbaijani officials and security forces involved in the repression.  Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner.