On April 27, the Baku Court of Appeal heard the complaint of Azer Gasimli, the head of the Institute of Political Management.
According to Samira Gasimli, Azer Gasimli’s wife, who spoke to Meydan TV, the victim recognized in the case, Gurbaneli Yusifov, and his lawyer did not attend the proceedings. Azer Gasimli’s lawyer, Rovshana Rahimli, objected to this, saying she had questions for him. The state prosecutor objected, stating that those questions had already been answered in the court of first instance.
The lawyer filed a motion requesting that the investigation be reopened and that Farahbanu Niftaliyeva, the ex-wife of Yusifov, be questioned as a witness. In her statement, Rovshana Rahimli said that although there was a court decision ordering Niftaliyeva to be questioned as a witness, it had not been implemented. She noted that Niftaliyeva’s testimony would expose the absurdity of the accusations against Azer Gasimli.
The lawyer also stated that the victim Yusifov had given false testimony in court, claiming that at the time when Gasimli allegedly threatened him, he was living at the same address with Farahbanu Niftaliyeva:
“Gurbanali Yusifov claims that he lived at an address belonging to Farahbanu Yusifova’s family and that Azer Gasimli allegedly called him and threatened him there. However, they were divorced at that time, and Gurbanali Yusifov could not have been there. Therefore, it was essential for this woman to come and testify. She would have said that this claim is absurd, baseless, and built on lies,” Samira Gasimli said.
The court did not grant the motions.
The next court hearing is scheduled for May 11.
The director of the Institute of Political Management, Azer Gasimli, was detained on December 8, 2024.
Azer Gasimli is accused of extorting money by threatening Gurbanali Yusifov, who is recognized as the victim. However, his lawyers stated that there is a legally binding court decision confirming that the person in question owes Azer Gasimli money.
The politician has been charged under Article 182.2.3 of the Criminal Code (extortion committed with threats, when carried out with the use of force).
On March 11, during a trial at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes presided over by Judge Elmin Rustamov, Azer Gasimli was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Azer Gasimli has stated that his arrest is politically motivated and that the charges are fabricated.
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