In a legal battle involving human rights lawyer Fariz Namazli, the Baku Court of Appeal has overturned a lower court’s decision, opening the possibility of a more thorough investigation into his detention by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SST).
Namazli, known for defending numerous social and political activists, was detained by SST officers on the evening of August 31 while at a café in Baku with friends. His phone was confiscated, and he was taken to the SST facility, where he was interrogated for over three hours before being released after midnight.
Following the incident, Namazli filed a formal complaint, arguing that his detention and treatment amounted to an unlawful arrest. He emphasized the irregularity of being detained late in the evening, after working hours, and questioned how the authorities knew his location without prior notice, suggesting he had been surveilled.
Sabail District Court initially dismissed his complaint, with Judge Azer Taghiyev ruling against the investigation. Namazli appealed the decision, which was heard by the Baku Court of Appeal under Judge Mirzali Abbasov. The appellate court, in a closed session, ruled in favor of Namazli, stating that the lower court’s decision was “illegal and groundless.” The case has now been sent back to the Sabail District Court for further investigation.
Despite the ruling, Namazli did not participate in the appeal hearing. The reasons for his detention and interrogation remain unclear, as the SST has yet to comment on the case.
Namazli, however, emphasized that while he was questioned as a witness, the manner in which the situation unfolded resembled an arrest more than a routine witness inquiry. He has continued to argue that his rights were violated, stating that proper protocol—such as a prior summons—was not followed.
