A late-night dispute outside a café in Baku’s Narimanov district escalated into a deadly stabbing, according to newly released investigative materials obtained by local media.
The incident occurred on December 27, 2023, near Mirza Ulugbey Street 125. Police responding to the scene found 33-year-old Etibar Aliyev critically injured. He was rushed to the Clinical Medical Center, where doctors later pronounced him dead.
Law enforcement officers detained 49-year-old Elshan Nabiyev at the scene. A woman identified as Vusala Hasanova voluntarily handed over a knife she had picked up after the altercation.
A criminal case was opened under Article 120.1 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code (premeditated murder).
A Long-Standing Dispute Rekindled
Investigators determined that the men had known each other for about a decade and previously clashed over the lease of a car wash. Nabiyev claims he once intended to rent the facility but that Aliyev reacted sharply and refused to give his “permission” to take over the site. The disagreement appeared to have ended years ago.
Yet in the days leading up to the incident, Aliyev had become a frequent visitor to the café operated by Nabiyev. According to witness testimony, he often came alone, ate, drank, and occasionally left without paying.
On the night of the incident, Nabiyev was sitting with Hasanova when Aliyev approached, reminding him of their old dispute and allegedly insulting both Nabiyev and the woman. The situation escalated, and the men moved outside.
The Altercation and Fatal Injury
According to the case file, the confrontation continued near a nearby car-wash facility. Investigators say Nabiyev beat Aliyev with his hands and feet before stabbing him once in the abdomen with a household knife.
Nabiyev insists he did not intentionally stab Aliyev, claiming the knife was in Aliyev’s hand and entered his body “during the struggle.” He says he attempted to help the injured man-placing his jacket under his head, calling acquaintances, and transporting him to the hospital.
Doctors later confirmed that Aliyev showed no brain reflexes and could not be revived.
Courtroom Testimony
At trial, Nabiyev pleaded not guilty and refused to give testimony.
Aliyev’s father, Yusif Aliyev, urged the court to impose the maximum possible sentence.
Witnesses corroborated elements of the timeline, including the effort to transport the victim to the hospital and Hasanova’s handover of the knife.
Verdict
The Baku Court on Grave Crimes ruled that the evidence fully proved Nabiyev’s guilt in the intentional killing of Etibar Aliyev. He was sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in a strict-regime correctional facility.
Authorities say additional information will be released if further related individuals or evidence emerge.
