Wife of Jailed Azerbaijani Politician Azer Gasimli Faces Defamation and Insult Charges
On July 14, the Binagadi District Court recognized Samira Gasimli, the wife of imprisoned Azerbaijani politician and political psychologist Azer Gasimli, as a defendant in a criminal case involving charges of defamation and insult.
The case was initiated following a complaint by Gurbanali Yusibov, who has been recognized as the victim in the criminal proceedings against Azer Gasimli.
In April, Yusibov filed a complaint with the court alleging that Samira Gasimli had made defamatory and insulting statements about him on Facebook and had also expressed views that could allegedly endanger his life.
Samira Gasimli said that Yusibov has not attended any of the court hearings held since the proceedings began.
“A person who claims to be defending his honor and dignity has failed to appear at any of the hearings repeatedly held since April,” she said.
Yusibov’s lawyer told the court that his client is currently working in Turkey. When Judge Samir Nasibov asked whether Yusibov was aware of the complaint, the lawyer replied that the application had been submitted in April and that his client knew about it.
Samira Gasimli rejects the accusations and says the case against her is politically motivated.
“The complaint against me was not really initiated by Gurbanali Yusibov or his lawyer, Vugar Shamilov. I have been dragged into this court process by the authorities because I defend the rights of my husband and other political prisoners. What is happening shows that a new show trial is beginning,” she said.
Her husband, Azer Gasimli, director of the Institute of Political Management, has been imprisoned since December 2024.
He was arrested following a complaint by Gurbanali Yusibov and was later sentenced by the Baku Court for Grave Crimes to 12 years in prison. Gasimli was convicted on charges of extortion aimed at obtaining a large amount of money.
Azer Gasimli and his supporters have described the case against him as politically motivated.
