The Court of Appeal refused to re-examine the evidence in the Azer Gasimli case.

The defense of convicted political scientist Azer Gasimli requested additional questioning of the victim and the summoning of a key witness to the appeals process, but the court rejected these motions.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on March 11, a Baku court sentenced political scientist Azer Gasimli, director of the Institute of Political Management, to 12 years in prison. The defendant categorically denied the extortion charge and stated that he was arrested because of his socio-political activities and critical publications. His lawyers called the case fabricated.

On April 27, the Baku Court of Appeal began hearings on the merits of Azer Gasimli's appeal against the verdict. Gurbanali Yusifov, who was recognized as a victim, and his lawyer were absent from the trial, presided over by Judge Zafar Akhmedov, prompting a protest from Gasimli's defense, a Caucasian Knot correspondent reported from the courtroom.

Lawyer Rovshana Rahimova reported that the defense has questions for Yusifov. She petitioned to summon the victim to court, as well as to partially reopen the trial. Specifically, she noted the need to question Yusifov's ex-wife, Farahbana Niftalieva, in court. "Yusifov claims that when Azer Gasimli threatened him over the phone, he was in a house belonging to Niftalieva's family, but they were already divorced at the time, and Yusifov could not have been there. Therefore, there is a need to summon Niftalieva: she should be questioned as a witness and verify the victim's veracity," the lawyer said. Ragimova added that the trial court had previously ruled to question Niftalieva, and that decision should finally be implemented. Gasimli himself supported the lawyer's motions.

"Gurbanali Yusifov gave contradictory testimony during the preliminary investigation and trial. He claims that I allegedly threatened to kidnap his child. How is it that the child's father is granted the right to testify in court, but the mother is not? Therefore, Farahban Niftaliyev must be questioned in court," said Azer Gasimli.

The state prosecutor opposed the motions, pointing out that Yusifov had already answered all the questions in the trial court. The court dismissed the defense's motions and scheduled the next hearing for May 11.

By rejecting the lawyers' motions, the appellate court is depriving Gasimli of his right to defense and undermining the principles of fair justice, noted another of Gasimli's lawyers, Agil Laij.

“Everyone has the right to a defense and the right to a fair trial. If this is not the case, then the European Convention on Human Rights has been violated,” Laidzh told a “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

If Azerbaijani courts do not restore Gasimli’s rights and release him, the defense will ultimately appeal to the ECHR, the lawyer noted.

“Caucasian Knot” also reported that the wife of political scientist Azer Gasimli, imprisoned in Azerbaijan, has been accused of defamation. The woman’s criminal prosecution was initiated based on a complaint filed by Gurbanali Yusifov, the same person who is the victim in her husband’s case. The preparatory hearing for Samira Gasimli's case took place in the Binagadi District Court on April 24. She called the case a "political order."