Azerbaijan prosecutor demands 10-year sentence for opposition bodyguard

Kanan Zeynalov

A prosecutor in Azerbaijan has requested a 10-year prison sentence for opposition activist Kanan Zeynalov on stabbing charges his defence team claims are politically motivated.

State prosecutor Babakhan Hasanaliyev made the demand on 23 July during a hearing at the Baku Serious Crimes Court.

Zeynalov, who served as a volunteer bodyguard for Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (AXCP) leader Ali Karimli, is accused of attacking a man named Anar Rahimov with a knife.

The activist denies the charges, maintaining that he was unarmed and was ambushed by an unknown man while walking to a mosque, before police immediately arrived to arrest him.

Defence lawyer Nazim Musayev objected to closing the judicial investigation, arguing that the court had systematically rejected every motion submitted by the defence to uncover the truth.

Musayev highlighted discrepancies in the forensic report, which noted three neatly aligned holes in the alleged victim's shirt, and requested permission to inspect the physical evidence in court and interrogate the forensic expert.

Presiding Judge Mahira Karimova rejected the motions, ruling that a sufficient investigation had already been conducted. The trial also proceeded without the presence of the alleged victim.

The court is scheduled to hear final defence arguments and a final statement from Zeynalov next week before delivering its verdict.

AXCP leader Ali Karimli described the prosecution as an "extraordinary frame-up", describing Zeynalov as a peaceful individual with no history of violence.

More than 15 members of the AXCP are currently in detention. Human rights groups estimate there are at least 328 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, though officials deny the claim, insisting all detentions are strictly based on criminal acts.