The details of the victim's biography alarmed Zeynalov's fellow party members.

At a Baku court hearing, it was revealed that Anar Rahimov, the man Kenan Zeynalov is accused of assaulting, had been cleared of fraud charges shortly before the incident. Zeynalov's fellow party members suggested that this was a condition for Rahimov's participation in a provocation against the opposition leader.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," 59-year-old Kenan Zeynalov, a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), who served as a volunteer bodyguard for PFPA leader Ali Karimli, was detained in March 2025 and charged with wounding a man. In court, he denied the charges, claiming it was a planned provocation.

The Baku Court of Grave Crimes held another hearing in the Kenal Zeynalov case on January 30, a representative of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) told a Caucasian Knot correspondent today.

"Despite numerous motions from the defense, Anar Rahimov, who was recognized as a victim, once again failed to appear at the trial. Zeynalov and his lawyer pointed out the need for Rahimov's participation for an objective judicial investigation," he said.

According to him, the defense presented evidence at the trial that Rahimov had once been placed on the international wanted list for fraud and was extradited to Azerbaijan from Georgia in January 2024.

Apparently, there was a deal: the case against Rahimov was closed. in exchange for his participation in the provocation

"In response, the presiding judge, Mahira Kerimova, stated that this was 'not relevant to the case.' However, Zeynalov and his lawyer drew attention to the fact that, for unknown reasons, the case against Ragimov was suddenly dropped, and this happened just shortly before Kenan Zeynalov's arrest. That is, there was obviously a deal: the case against Ragimov was closed in exchange for his participation in the provocation against Zeynalov, which, according to the defense, is another compelling argument in favor of the falsification of the charges," the opposition leader said.

Zeynalov's lawyer, Nazim Musayev, confirmed this information about Ragimov to a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

In his opinion, Ragimov's participation in the trial is necessary so that the defense can ask him questions for a comprehensive judicial review. investigation. However, the question of ensuring Rahimov's appearance remains open. The next court hearing is scheduled for March 4, he noted.

A court employee confirmed to a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent the information about the hearing in Zeynalov's case. Representatives of the prosecution and the victim, Rahimov, were unavailable for comment.

As a reminder, in 2025, the Azerbaijani authorities intensified repression against the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, culminating in the arrests of party leader Ali Karimli and his associates at the end of the year, the PFPA stated.

The PFPA became a target of the Azerbaijani authorities due to its consistent fight against the rise of authoritarianism and corruption in the country. At the same time, there is no other party in Azerbaijan that has been so "permanently subjected to pressure, persecution, and repression" over the past 20 years, Jamil Hasanli, chairman of the National Council of Democratic Forces, told the Caucasian Knot. The number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan reached its highest point in 2024 since the country's 23-year membership in the Council of Europe, according to a Caucasian Knot report titled "Key Points About the Record Number of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan." Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani authorities deny the existence of political prisoners in the country.