Trial Begins for 14 People Detained Over the Imishli Incidents

A preparatory hearing has been held regarding the criminal cases of 14 people detained in connection with the Imishli incidents, which erupted following a fatal road accident involving a State Traffic Police (DYP) vehicle.

At the session held at the Imishli District Court, the personal data of the accused were clarified. Subsequently, a decision was made to proceed with the trial of the criminal case. The next hearing is scheduled for May 27, 2025.

On January 18, 2025, a serious road traffic accident involving a DYP vehicle occurred in Imishli. A police service vehicle patrolling the area was suddenly cut off by another car. As a result of the collision, four schoolchildren returning from school were struck—two died at the scene, and the other two were hospitalized. One of the hospitalized children later died at the “Yeni Klinika” hospital in Baku on January 22, 2025. The driver of the DYP vehicle was also injured.

Footage of the accident was released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) on the day of the incident. In the video, another car—a Mercedes-Benz 190—is seen entering the police car's path. However, because the video was repeatedly slowed down, the speed of the police vehicle could not be determined.

The high speed of the police car and the fact that the victims were minors sparked outrage among the local population. Residents, especially young people, flooded the streets in protest that very day. The crowd overturned the police vehicle, and hundreds of people marched toward the Imishli District Police Department chanting slogans like “Resign.”

Following this, the MIA released a statement saying that the protesters were arrested on charges of “hooliganism.” It was reported on social media that more than 100 individuals involved in attacking and overturning the police car and clashing with law enforcement were detained. Most of them were charged under Articles 510 (minor hooliganism) and 535.1 (failure to obey a lawful police order) of the Administrative Offenses Code and sentenced to up to one month of administrative detention.

After these events, a heightened security regime was implemented across Imishli. Police officers stood guard around administrative buildings, parks, and public squares. According to reports circulating on social media, Internal Troops were deployed to the city and roads were blocked. Locals reported that the internet was also cut off in Imishli.

According to the investigation, 17-year-old Imishli resident Baylar Bayramli had unlawfully taken his relative’s Mercedes-Benz without permission. He drove it without a license, violated traffic regulations, and caused the deaths of two people and serious injury to another due to negligence. He was also accused of fleeing the scene. Bayramli was charged under Articles 185.1 (unlawful seizure of a vehicle without intent to steal), 263-1.4 (violation of traffic rules by a person without the right to drive resulting in death by negligence of two persons), and 264 (hit-and-run) of the Criminal Code, and was remanded in custody.

The MIA did not provide any official statement about whether the police officer who drove the DYP vehicle had been held accountable. However, social media users claimed the officer was the nephew of former MP and millionaire Ahad Ahmadov.

On January 22, 2025, the Imishli District Court ordered pretrial detention for 14 people accused of hooliganism during the protests: Baylar Bayramli, Rasif Babayev, Anar Jabbarli, Vuqar Usublu, Shamil Safarov, Elman Ibrahimov, Abbas Baghirov, Taleh Mammadov, Ragib Taghiyev, Goshqar Mammadov, Senan Aliyev, Elkhan Azimov, Ruslan Guliyev, and Rahib Rzayev. The charges were filed under Article 221.2.1 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism committed by a group of persons).

On April 7, 2025, their pretrial detention was extended.