Baku — September 8, 2025
A new hearing was held in the criminal case against human rights defender Rufat Safarov, who faces charges of hooliganism and fraud. The session took place at the Baku Court on Grave Crimes under the chairmanship of Judge Aygun Gurbanova, Oxu.Az reported.
During the proceedings, Safarov’s lawyer petitioned the court to allow his client to sit beside him, a request the judge granted. Safarov then responded to questions from the state prosecutor, giving explanations regarding the fraud accusations and allegations that he injured complainant Natig Imamguliyev.
The next hearing has been scheduled for September 29.
The case stems from a complaint filed on December 3 last year, when Imamguliyev alleged that Safarov had taken 60,000 manats from him. Safarov has denied knowing the complainant.
Prosecutors subsequently brought charges under Article 178.3.2 (fraud causing large-scale damage), Article 127.2.3 (intentional infliction of less serious harm to health committed in a dangerous manner or from hooligan motives), and Article 221.1 (hooliganism) of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code.
