Tofig Yagublu told the judge: "I don't want 1 percent from you; I want 0.1 percent justice and 0.1 percent dignity and integrity."

Tofig Yagublu

The Supreme Court delayed the hearing for imprisoned opposition politician Tofig Yagublu, scheduled for November 6.

Yagublu, a member of the Musavat Party and the National Council, was sentenced to 9 years in December 2023 on fraud and forgery charges, which he denies. He protested his sentence with a 40-day hunger strike.

During the hearing, Judge Ilgar Kilicov offered Yagublu time to speak, even though the Supreme Court usually only reviews procedural violations. He said a hearing would be scheduled within three weeks.

Yagublu responded that if the court didn't consider his evidence, there was no need to delay. He told the judge, "If you are going to come back next week and simply repeat what the lower-court judges said, then say it right now. After all the evidence presented to those judges, they essentially admitted their dishonorable and ill-mannered conduct. I don't want 1 percent from you; I want 0.1 percent justice and 0.1 percent dignity and integrity. That is enough for you to admit my innocence."

Yagublu's daughter, Nigar Hazi, shared the information about the postponement on Facebook.

Yagublu has been a critic of the Aliyev government for 32 years and has been arrested eight times. International organizations recognize him as a prisoner of conscience.