A series of legal proceedings involving Samira Gasimli, the wife of imprisoned political figure Azer Gasimli, has drawn attention after she was both taken to court under a private prosecution case and restricted from travelling abroad.
On April 24, a hearing was held at the Binagadi District Court in a case initiated by Gurbanali Yusifov against Samira Gasimli. The session, presided over by Judge Zamig Baghirov, was postponed after initial procedural matters were addressed, without the court moving into a full examination of the case.
During the hearing, Gasimli made a verbal request asking for the case to be transferred to the Yasamal District Court, arguing that she resides in the Yasamal district and that the alleged actions referenced in the complaint also occurred there. She indicated that she would formally submit the request in a written form at the next session. The court scheduled the next hearing for May 1.
The case stems from a private prosecution filed by Gurbanali Yusifov, who previously filed a complaint against Azer Gasimli, the director of the Institute of Political Management currently in detention. Yusifov has now brought similar charges against Samira Gasimli under Article 147.1 of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code, which relates to defamation.
In a related development, Samira Gasimli reported that she has been banned from leaving the country. According to her statement, she learned of the travel restriction at the airport while preparing to depart for a planned trip to Europe. She said she was informed that the ban had been imposed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Gasimli linked the restriction to the ongoing legal proceedings against her, stating that the complaint had not yet been fully processed when the travel ban was enforced. She described the situation as politically motivated, arguing that her public activity on international platforms regarding political prisoners may have triggered pressure against her.
“For the past 17 months, my work has focused on political prisoners,” she said, adding that her activism as a family member of a detained political figure had drawn negative attention from the authorities.
The legal actions against Samira Gasimli follow an earlier complaint filed by Gurbanali Yusifov, who accused her of defamation under Article 147.1. The complaint was officially registered at the Binagadi District Court through a private prosecution procedure.
Yusifov is also the individual who initiated legal action against her husband, Azer Gasimli, whose imprisonment has been widely reported in connection with political activities.
As the proceedings continue, the next court hearing is expected on May 1, where the court is likely to consider the jurisdictional request and proceed further with the case.
The director of the Institute of Political Management, Azer Gasimli, was detained on December 8, 2024.
Azer Gasimli is accused of extorting money by threatening Gurbanali Yusifov, who is recognized as the victim. However, his lawyers stated that there is a legally binding court decision confirming that the person in question owes Azer Gasimli money.
The politician has been charged under Article 182.2.3 of the Criminal Code (extortion committed with threats, when carried out with the use of force).
On March 11, during a trial at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes presided over by Judge Elmin Rustamov, Azer Gasimli was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Azer Gasimli has stated that his arrest is politically motivated and that the charges are fabricated.
