Samira Gasimli: “A provocation was staged against Azer Gasimli during the trial”

A provocation was allegedly staged against imprisoned political figure Azer Gasimli during the court hearing at the Baku Court for Serious Crimes on 18 June.

According to his wife, Samira Gasimli, who spoke to Meydan TV, Azer Gasimli informed her of the incident on 19 June:

“On the night of 17 June, Azer was told that his trial would take place the next day (18 June). He thought we had been informed, so he didn’t send us a message. On 18 June, at noon, he was taken to the Court for Serious Crimes. Upon arriving at the courtroom, he saw prosecutors and an unfamiliar woman seated. He was told that this woman was his lawyer.”

Samira Gasimli explained that Azer objected, stating that he didn’t know the woman and demanded the hearing be postponed:

“Azer said this couldn’t be his trial. Neither his family nor his actual lawyers were present. He asked them if they were sure this was his lawyer and suggested they check again as there might have been a misunderstanding. But they insisted that this woman was indeed his lawyer. Azer replied that it was the first time he had seen her. At that point, the woman reportedly lost her composure and caused a scene, claiming she was being insulted. Azer then concluded that the hearing was being manipulated and declared that he would not participate in such a process without his lawyers. The hearing was eventually postponed. We still do not know who that woman was.”

According to Samira Gasimli, the first court session in her husband’s case was held in secret, without the knowledge of his family or lawyers. They only learned of the incident through media reports.

Pro-government websites reported that the preparatory hearing, chaired by Judge Telman Huseynov, was postponed to 25 June because the defendant’s lawyers were not present.

Azer Gasimli, director of the Institute for Political Management, was arrested on 8 December 2024. He has been charged under Article 182.2.3 of the Criminal Code (extortion with the threat or use of force) and has been placed in pre-trial detention.

Gasimli maintains that his arrest was politically motivated and that the charges against him are fabricated.

He was previously detained for 30 days in 2018 after leading a mass protest.