Azer Gasimli's Extortion Trial Begins: Politician Claims Victimhood and Political Persecution

Azer Gasimli

Baku, Azerbaijan – The criminal trial of Azer Gasimli, a prominent political scientist and director of the Institute of Political Management, commenced today at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. Gasimli, who faces charges of extortion, vehemently rejected the accusations, asserting that he is, in fact, the victim in the case and that his arrest is politically motivated.

The proceedings, presided over by Judge Telman Huseynov, began without the presence of the injured party, Gurbanali Yusifov.

State prosecutor Valeh Alakbarov read out the indictment, which accuses Azer Gasimli of extortion by threat, allegedly committed in collusion with a group of individuals. According to the prosecution, Gasimli opened a cryptocurrency account in Gurbanali Yusifov's name and deposited funds there. After losing money due to a market downturn, he allegedly demanded $45,000 from Yusifov. The indictment further claims that Gasimli threatened to kill Yusifov and abduct his child if the money was not paid, subsequently receiving 6,800 manats and making Yusifov sign a debt receipt for $10,000.

However, Azer Gasimli pleaded not guilty, stating, "Actually, I am the victim." His wife, Samira Gasimli, elaborated on their version of events to Toplum TV, asserting that Gurbanali Yusifov owed her husband money and that no threats were made to secure its repayment.

According to Samira Gasimli, in May 2020, Yusifov opened and managed a cryptocurrency account in Azer Gasimli's name at his request. Between May and August of that year, Gasimli provided Yusifov with a total of $20,000 to purchase two bitcoins. Samira Gasimli stated that they later discovered only one bitcoin was bought, and subsequently, for reasons still unclear, that bitcoin also disappeared from Gasimli's account.

In January 2022, Yusifov and Samira Gasimli reportedly agreed on a monthly installment plan for the debt repayment, with Yusifov signing a receipt. However, Yusifov later left the country and ceased contact with Gasimli. This led Gasimli to pursue legal action, and in April 2024, the Mingachevir City Court ruled in his favor.

Samira Gasimli further revealed that following this court decision, Yusifov penned a letter to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Vilayat Eyvazov. In the letter, Yusifov allegedly claimed that Azer Gasimli was an "anti-state politician" who attempted to involve him in "anti-state activities," and threatened him upon his refusal. The Ministry of Internal Affairs then instructed the Mingachevir City Police Department to investigate. However, the police found no evidence to support Yusifov's claims and closed the case.

Despite the case being closed, law enforcement agencies, acting on an order to arrest Gasimli, reopened the investigation in December 2024. Azer Gasimli was detained on December 8 last year and charged under Article 182.2.3 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to extortion by threat committed with the use of force.

Gasimli has consistently maintained that his arrest is politically motivated and that the charges are fabricated. He has a history of opposition, having received a 30-day administrative arrest sentence in 2018 for leading a mass protest in Baku.

His case unfolds amidst a broader crackdown on independent media and civil society in Azerbaijan, which began in late 2023. Human rights organizations report that over 370 political prisoners are currently held in the country's prisons. Many independent journalists, human rights defenders, and opposition activists have been arrested on various criminal charges during this period, consistently claiming their arrests are politically ordered and the charges false.

The court has adjourned the session until July 30 to ensure the presence of the injured party, Gurbanali Yusifov. The outcome of this trial is being closely watched by both legal observers and those concerned with the state of civil liberties in Azerbaijan.