A court in Baku has ordered the pretrial detention of prominent Azerbaijani lawyer and former Bar Association member Namizad Safarov, placing him under a four-month arrest as part of an ongoing fraud investigation.
The decision was handed down by the Khatai District Court on Tuesday, according to local reporting. Safarov was detained on December 9 and is accused of misappropriating 53,000 manats from a private citizen. Prosecutors have charged him under Article 178.3.2 of the Criminal Code, which covers large-scale fraud.
A Long Public Career Marked by Advocacy and Controversy
Safarov, well known for his outspoken civic and human rights work, practiced as an attorney from the early 1990s until his removal from the Bar in 2005, a decision he publicly linked to his criticism of the organization’s leadership.
Even after losing his attorney status, Safarov continued to participate in civil court proceedings as a legal representative until the abolition of the representation system in 2017.
He also became involved in political and civic initiatives, including the 2013 formation of the National Council of Democratic Forces.
In 2019, following the severe injury of rights defender Ogtay Gulaliyev in a traffic accident, Safarov briefly served as acting coordinator of the Committee Against Repression and Torture. He later co-founded the NGO Forum of Azerbaijani Lawyers, which was denied state registration.
Most recently, in 2024, he joined the “Azerbaijani People’s Parliament”, a political structure formed by exiled activists abroad. Safarov routinely provided legal and political commentary to local and international media outlets.
Fraud Allegations and Legal Proceedings
Investigators allege that Safarov abused a client’s trust and unlawfully appropriated funds. His supporters counter that the accusations are unproven and insist he denies wrongdoing.
Court filings and official statements have not yet provided additional detail about the circumstances of the alleged fraud.
Safarov will remain in custody while the investigation continues.
What Comes Next
The Prosecutor General’s Office has not indicated when the case might proceed to trial. Human rights observers and civil society groups are expected to follow the developments closely, given Safarov’s long-standing role in public life.
