NGO Head Bashir Suleymanlı Denies Guilt as Trial Begins in Baku

Baku, 9 October 2025 – The preparatory hearing for Bashir Suleymanlı, the head of the "Civil Rights Institute" Public Union, began on October 8th at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. Süleymanlı is among several public activists arrested since March 2025 in connection with a major criminal case targeting non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The session was presided over by Judge Vuqar Seyidov. Süleymanlı and his lawyer, Elchin Sadıqov, motioned for the criminal case to be terminated. Süleymanlı vehemently denied the accusations, stating: "I have committed no crime". He insisted that funds received from America and Britain were acquired in a "completely legal manner" and transferred via bank card accounts, confirming "nothing was illegal".

The defence lawyer, E. Sadıqov, further stressed that there was "no basis" for Suleymanlı's continued detention and requested that if the case was not terminated, his client should be released to house arrest until a verdict is issued. Sadıqov pointed out that when Süleymanlı was previously prosecuted at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes in 2015, no measure of restraint involving arrest was chosen, and he attended all court sessions punctually.

The prosecutor objected to both the termination of the case and the alteration of the pre-trial detention measure, arguing that Süleymanlı is accused of grave crimes. The panel of judges rejected all motions presented by the defence.

The case has been moved to judicial review, with the next court hearing scheduled for October 23rd.

Bashir Suleymanlı, who was detained in March 2025, faces serious charges under multiple articles of the Criminal Code, including legalisation of criminally obtained property (often referred to as money laundering), abuse of official authority, and official forgery. These specific charges carry a potential prison sentence of up to 12 years.

The broad "NGO case" has seen multiple activists arrested. The trial of another civil society figure, Qalib Bayramov, chairman of the Economic Research Center Public Union, also began on October 8th. Women's rights defender Nargiz Muxtarova is scheduled to appear before a judge on October 13th.