Azerbaijani Court Rejects Motions by Detained Lawyer and Government Critic Namizad Safarov

The Baku Court of Grave Crimes held another hearing on July 2 in the case of detained lawyer and government critic Namizad Safarov.

The hearing was chaired by Judge Mahira Karimova. Gunel Afandiyeva, who has been recognized as the alleged victim in the case, once again did not attend the proceedings.

At the beginning of the hearing, Safarov filed several motions. He asked the court to obtain and examine antenna location data from both his mobile phone and Afandiyeva’s phone.

Safarov again stated that he did not know the person recognized as the alleged victim and argued that the antenna data would prove his claim. He also requested that the people who were with him at the time of his arrest be questioned as witnesses and that security camera footage from near his office be examined.

The court left the motions unconsidered.

Later, state prosecutor Valeh Alakbarli read out the indictment.

According to the indictment, Safarov allegedly promised to help Gunel Afandiyeva obtain a position through his contacts among officials and received 53,000 manats from her, but failed to fulfill the promise.

Safarov pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He later asked the court to replace his pre-trial detention with house arrest, citing his advanced age. The motion was rejected.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 30.

Namizad Safarov was arrested in December last year. He is charged under Article 178.3.2 of the Criminal Code, which concerns fraud causing major financial damage.

The Azerbaijan People’s Parliament, of which Safarov is a co-chair, has described the criminal case against him as “baseless, politically motivated, and a political act aimed at creating fear in society.”

Safarov was expelled from the Bar Association in 2005. He said at the time that the decision was linked to his criticism of the association’s leadership.

He is known for his critical speeches against the Azerbaijani authorities.