Azerbaijan Extends Detention for NGO Leaders Amidst Renewed 'NGO Case' Crackdown

Baku, Azerbaijan – In a significant development, Azerbaijani courts have extended the pre-trial detention periods for several prominent non-governmental organization (NGO) leaders and activists, signaling a renewed focus on the long-standing "NGO Case." The decisions, made on July 9, affect individuals initially arrested in March and April of this year.

The central focus of the recent court proceedings at the Binagadi District Court was the extension of detention for Mammad Alpay (Mammadzade), Executive Director of the "Election Monitoring Alliance," and Bashir Suleymanli, head of the Civil Rights Institute. Both individuals, who were initially detained on March 14, had their pre-trial detention extended by another three months. They are accused under Articles 313 (Official forgery), 193-1.3.2 (Legalization of money or other property obtained through crime, committed in a large amount), and 308.2 (Abuse of official powers) of the Criminal Code. Both Alpay and Suleymanli deny the charges.

The extensions also apply to Asaf Ahmadov, head of the Ganja Regional Community Center, and social worker Zamin Zaki, who were arrested on April 9. Their pre-trial detention was similarly extended for three months, and they too face the same charges as Alpay and Suleymanli, which they deny.

This wave of arrests and extensions is part of a reactivated "NGO Case" that dates back to 2014. Although the case was reportedly closed, it was announced this year that it has been renewed. In the original 2014 case, Bashir Suleymanli was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months for illegal entrepreneurship and tax evasion as the executive director of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center (EMDSC), an organization known for its critical reports on Azerbaijani elections. He was later pardoned in March 2015.

Beyond those whose detentions were extended, several other individuals have been implicated in the renewed case:

Hafiz Hasanov, head of the "Law and Development" Public Union, was placed under house arrest for four months on March 17.

Mehriban Rahimli, Azerbaijan consultant for the US German Marshall Fund (GMF), has been criminally charged and placed under police supervision for the duration of the investigation.

Subhan Hasanli, head of the Social Rights Center, and public activist Aytaj Aghazade have had absentee arrest warrants issued against them and are on a wanted list, as they were not in the country.

Khalid Aghaliyev, coordinator of the "Media Law" Institute, was initially detained alongside Alpay and Suleymanli but was later released.

Several other unnamed NGO leaders and members involved in the case have also been placed under police supervision during the investigation.

The current situation is set against a broader backdrop of increasing pressure on civil society in Azerbaijan. In the last two years, nearly 40 journalists, bloggers, and public activists have been arrested. Human rights defenders claim there are currently over 370 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, a figure that Azerbaijani officials dispute, asserting that individuals are prosecuted solely for criminal actions.

The extensions of these detentions underscore the ongoing legal challenges faced by independent voices and organizations in Azerbaijan, with the "NGO Case" serving as a prominent example of the government's approach to civil society.