The detention period of Azerbaijani lawyer Gahramanov has been extended.

A Baku court extended the pretrial detention of lawyer Zabil Gahramanov by two months. The defense disagrees with this decision and intends to appeal.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on January 19, the court extended the pretrial detention of lawyer Zabil Gahramanov by two months. The defense considers this decision unfounded and has filed an appeal. Gahramanov's colleagues have deemed the case politically motivated. In November 2025, the court upheld the investigator's decision to ban Gahramanov from communicating with his relatives.

Today, the Sabayil District Court of Baku granted the investigative body's motion to extend Gahramanov's pretrial detention for another two months, until May 25, his lawyer, Rasul Jafarov, told a Caucasian Knot correspondent.

According to him, the defense disagrees with the court's decision and intends to appeal. There are no substantive or procedural grounds for Gahramanov's detention, the lawyer said. "No reliable primary evidence of guilt has been presented." On the other hand, there is no need to conduct an investigation with Gahramanov in custody, since there is no reason to believe that, if released, he will abscond from the investigation," the lawyer emphasized.

An employee of the Sabail Court confirmed the information about the extension of Gahramanov's arrest.

"The case is punitive in nature."

The Institute for the Rule of Law of the International Union of Lawyers (UIA-IROL) expressed deep concern over the arrest of "Azerbaijani lawyer and human rights activist Zabil Gahramanov." The organization's statement notes that this process may be related to his professional activities and criticism of illegal police actions in Azerbaijan.

According to UIA-IROL, lawyer Zabil Gahramanov, registered with the Ganja Regional Bureau of Lawyers, has defended victims of human rights violations for many years, including political prisoners, individuals subjected to torture, and those falsely accused, and is a well-known regional lawyer.

A statement received by a Caucasian Knot correspondent states that the criminal prosecution against Gahramanov "may be punitive in nature, related to his activities as a defender and human rights activist, as well as the use of freedom of expression on issues of justice administration and police conduct of public interest."

The organization recalls that Azerbaijan is obligated by international obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, to ensure the human rights to liberty and security of person. the presumption of innocence, a fair trial, and freedom of expression.

In this regard, UIA-IROL calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Gahramanov, cease all judicial and extrajudicial pressure, reinstate his lawyer status, and allow him to practice his profession without state interference.

Earlier, the International Observatory for the Protection of Lawyers called on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release Gahramanov and drop all charges against him.