"Lawyers are punished for their performances in social networks, in the media...”

The apparent suicide of lawyer Zaur Mammadov outside the Bar Association building in Baku on January 1 has reignited discussions among legal professionals in Azerbaijan. Mammadov's relatives claim he had given money to an investigator to influence a case, which he failed to rectify or recover, leading to his victimization. The Prosecutor General's Office has opened a criminal case under Article 125 (self-murder), and an investigation is ongoing.

Allegations of disenfranchisement and police beatings targeting lawyers have surfaced over the years, with concerns about the profession's challenges gaining prominence following Mammadov's tragic death.

Anar Bagirov, the Bar Association chairman, initially asserted no organizational issues or disciplinary actions concerning Mammadov. However, lawyer Fariz Namazli, taking to social media, pointed to potential reasons for the suicide, such as the failure to advocate effectively, compelled engagement with investigative bodies outside procedural norms, lack of support from leadership, or the burden of compensating for investigative body-induced damages.

Fazil Mustafa, a member of the Milli Majlis Committee on Human Rights, cautioned against hastily linking the incident to the practice of law. In an interview with Turan, Mustafa emphasized that suicide is a complex matter with multifaceted motivations, and attempting to associate it solely with legal activities oversimplifies the issue. He urged a thorough investigation into the suicide while acknowledging the severity of the event.

Bashir Suleymanli, the head of the Civil Rights Institute, In an interview with Radio Azadlig  expressed concern about the deplorable state of lawyers in the country, highlighting their challenges in defending rights and organizing proper legal defenses. He attributed the overarching problem to a lack of accountability and transparency within state institutions and called for an independent judiciary to ensure fair evaluations of legal processes.

Mammadov's tragic end has brought to the forefront not only the challenges within the legal profession but also broader issues related to accountability, transparency, and the need for an impartial judicial system in Azerbaijan. The incident underscores the complex landscape lawyers navigate, balancing professional responsibilities with systemic challenges.