Wife of Imprisoned Opposition Politician Azar Gasimli Becomes Defendant in Defamation Case

Azerbaijani authorities appear to be widening pressure on the family of jailed opposition politician Azar Gasimli, as his wife, political psychologist Samira Gasimli, now faces criminal accusations of defamation and insult.

A court hearing in the case against Samira Gasimli was held on July 6 at the Binagadi District Court, according to Azadliq Radiosu. She is accused under Articles 147.1 and 148 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, which criminalize defamation and insult.

The complaint was filed by Gurbanali Yusifov, the same person whose previous complaint led to the arrest of Azar Gasimli in December 2024. Yusifov did not attend the latest hearing. His lawyer told the court that he was currently in Türkiye and that it was unclear when he would return to Azerbaijan.

Judge Samir Nasibov asked Samira Gasimli whether she objected to the proceedings continuing in the absence of the private complainant. Gasimli questioned how a case concerning “honour and dignity” could proceed without the direct participation of the person who claims to have been offended.

“Honour and dignity belong to the category of personal feelings and perception. Questions in such cases concern what a person felt. His representative is present here, but he cannot answer on his behalf. He cannot say what that person felt. If he was insulted, why does he not come and defend himself?” Gasimli said in court.

Her lawyer, Ramil Suleymanov, argued that if the complainant was abroad and unable to participate, he should withdraw the complaint and reapply when he returns to Azerbaijan.

The court postponed the hearing.

Yusifov claims that Samira Gasimli threatened and defamed him in Facebook posts. Gasimli rejects the accusations and says the case is politically motivated. She argues that she is being punished for defending the rights of her husband, Azar Gasimli.

Azar Gasimli, an opposition politician, was sentenced in March 2025 by the Baku Court of Grave Crimes to 12 years in prison on extortion-related charges. He denies the accusation and says he was imprisoned on political orders.

Samira Gasimli has also been banned from leaving Azerbaijan by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The case raises further concerns about the use of criminal defamation and insult provisions in Azerbaijan against critics, activists, opposition figures, and their family members. Rather than limiting pressure to imprisoned political opponents, the authorities appear to be extending that pressure to relatives who continue to speak publicly and defend them.

Human rights groups have repeatedly criticized Azerbaijan’s use of criminal prosecution, travel bans, and politically motivated court cases as tools of intimidation. The case against Samira Gasimli now adds another example to a growing pattern: family members of government critics are not merely witnesses to repression — they increasingly become its direct targets.