BAKU, July 17 — A preparatory hearing was held this week in the case of Miradalat Talishkhanov, a former law enforcement officer facing charges of inciting public calls against the Azerbaijani state.
The hearing took place at the Baku Court for Grave Crimes under the chairmanship of Judge Elmir Rustamov. During the session, the defendant’s personal information was verified as part of standard court procedure.
Talishkhanov’s legal team submitted a motion requesting that his pre-trial detention be replaced with house arrest. The court, however, denied the request, citing a lack of sufficient grounds to alter the detention terms.
Following the hearing, the court ruled to advance the case to full trial. The first session is scheduled for July 30.
According to the indictment, brought by the State Security Service (DTX), Talishkhanov is charged under Articles 32.4 and 281.2 of the Criminal Code — concerning incitement to public calls against the state, allegedly carried out repeatedly or by a group.
The case has drawn some attention due to the defendant’s background in law enforcement and the nature of the charges. While officials maintain the legal process is in line with established procedures, observers note that cases involving speech-related offenses often prompt broader discussions around the boundaries of public expression and national security laws.
Legal experts say that the upcoming trial will likely be followed closely, given the sensitivity of the allegations and the implications for future similar cases.
