18:07, 3 April 2026

Azerbaijani opposition figure Taghiyev sentenced to lengthy prison term

A Baku court sentenced Novruz Taghiyev, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), to six years in prison. He served as a volunteer bodyguard for the party's leader, Ali Karimli. Taghiyev denied the charges, claiming he was being pressured to testify against Karimli.

As reported by the Caucasian Knot, Novruz Taghiyev, a bodyguard for the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was arrested in May 2025 on fraud charges. On December 10, Taghiyev was transferred from Baku's SIZO-1 to the Yasamal District Temporary Detention Facility and faced additional charges of document forgery. During a hearing at the Baku Grave Crimes Court on February 6, Taghiyev denied the charges. At the March 18 hearing, the prosecution requested an eight-year prison sentence for Novruz Tagiev.

The fraud charge stems from Novruz Tagiev's real estate activities. Nijat Abbasov, who is a victim in the case, claims Tagiev "embezzled" 71,000 manats ($41,700) from him, which he allegedly used to purchase an apartment. "This is a completely implausible claim. For many years, all real estate transactions in Azerbaijan have been completed through bank transfers and payment. 1-2 percent of the total property value is paid in cash for intermediary services alone. But there is no material evidence that Taghiyev was given 71,000 manat," the opposition leader's lawyer, Nemat Kerimli, previously stated.

The Baku Court of Grave Crimes announced Novruz Taghiyev's sentence today. The activist was sentenced to six years in prison, the PFPA press service told the Caucasian Knot correspondent.

The opposition leader himself categorically denied the charges in court.

“He said he did not receive money from the victim, and in general, no one would give such money without a real estate purchase and sale agreement being formalized by a notary. Novruz Taghiyev considers his arrest a political order. Further evidence of the falsification of the case is the offer of a deal to Taghiyev. He was asked to testify that Ali Kerimli allegedly met with Ramiz Mehdiyev, and that Taghiyev allegedly accompanied the leader of our party. In exchange, he was promised release. Taghiyev rejected this ‘deal’ because he could not go against his conscience and principles,” said the PFPA representative..

In November 2025, officers from the State Security Service of Azerbaijan The leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Ali Karimli, and his adviser, Mammad Ibrahim, were detained. Both opposition figures were arrested and charged under Article 278.1 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan (actions aimed at the violent seizure of power or the violent change of the constitutional order of the state). They denied the charge, and Karimli called his criminal case political persecution. On February 12, the State Security Service announced the uncovering of a conspiracy against the country's authorities involving former high-ranking officials and representatives of the Azerbaijani opposition. Among the defendants in the case were Ali Karimli and former head of the presidential administration Ramiz Mehdiyev, who is under house arrest on charges of attempting a coup d'état.

Tagiyev's lawyer, Nemat Kerimli, stated that the verdict and the charges against his client are unfounded.

"There is no evidence in the case. There is only one video recording in which the person recognized as the victim enters an office with a package in his hands, but the contents of the package are unknown. The truth is, no home buyer would give a realtor such a large sum without official notarization. There is reason to believe that this was a pre-planned provocation against Novruz Taghiyev," the lawyer told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

He noted that the defense will appeal the verdict.

An employee of the Baku Court of Grave Crimes confirmed the verdict to a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. Representatives of the prosecution were unavailable for comment.

Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/422153