Trial of Ali Kerimli postponed to 19 August

On 13 August the Nasimi District Court of Baku chaired by Babek Panahov started a preparatory hearing on the complaint filed by Aydin Aliyev against Ali Kerimli, head of the Party of People's Front of Azerbaijan (PPFA) as a private prosecution.

Aliyev demands to bring Kerimli to responsibility under Article 147.1 (slander) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan

The hearing was postponed to 19 August because the complaint "was not drawn up in accordance with procedural rules", Kerimli told reporters after the court session. He called the complaint untenable and absurd.

The plaintiff called Kerimli's comment about the court cancelling the decisions of the PPFA Congress after Aydin Aliyev's complaint as "slander".

In particular, claims are made against Kerimli for the following statements he made:

"Aliyev Aydin, who was expelled from the PPFA for deviating from the political course of the Party and cooperating with the authorities, was forcibly restored to the position of the head of the control and revision commission by a court decision... Based on the complaint of this person forcibly restored to the party, the Nasimi district court on 05.07.2024 declared invalid the decisions of the Congress of 24.06.2023, which were adopted with 287 votes in favor and one against".

As Kerimli noted, the current process will become "a test for the judicial system of Azerbaijan." If the court satisfies the complaint, it will be a shame for the regime itself, since "cooperation with the authorities" will be recognized as an insult to honor and dignity, the leader of the PPFA noted.