Gasimly called her persecution politically motivated

The defense stated that there are no grounds for prosecuting the wife of convicted political scientist Azer Gasimli, Samira, on charges of libel and defamation and proposed transferring the case to the court in her client's place of residence. Gasimli believes the prosecution is an attempt to stop her activities in support of political prisoners.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," the wife of political scientist Azer Gasimli, who was convicted in Azerbaijan, has been charged with libel. The woman's criminal prosecution was initiated based on a complaint filed by a person recognized as a victim in her husband's case.

On April 24, the Binagadi District Court held a preparatory hearing in the case of Samira Gasimli, the wife of convicted political scientist Azer Gasimli.

As lawyer Agil Laij told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, a complaint has been filed against Samira Gasimli as a private criminal charge under articles on slander and insult (Articles 147.1 and 148 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan). Its author is Gurbanali Yusifov, on whose complaint Azer Gasimli was arrested and convicted.

According to the lawyer, Yusifov claims that Samira Gasimli threatened him and spread slanderous statements about him on her Facebook page*.

"At the preparatory hearing, after clarifying Samira Gasimli's personal information, we petitioned to refer this case to the Yasamal District Court for consideration. Samira Gasimli has lived in the Yasamal district of Baku for many years after her marriage, and her parental home is located in the Binagadi district. She wrote the posts from her current place of residence. Therefore, according to territorial jurisdiction, the case should be heard in the Yasamal Court," the lawyer said.

According to him, presiding judge Zamig Bagirov proposed submitting the petition in writing and, in connection with this, postponed the hearing. May 1st.

The lawyer believes there is no basis for criminal proceedings, since Samira Gasimly's publications were evaluative in nature and did not constitute a crime. The defense intends to present its position in detail at the hearing on the merits if the case is accepted for proceedings and to defend the defendant's innocence.

Samira Gasimly herself called the case a "political order." In her opinion, this is revenge for her activities in defense of her husband and other political prisoners, which is intended to "restrict this activity," Gasimly told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Under Article Articles 147.1 and 148 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, along with alternative punishments in the form of a fine, community service, and correctional labor, also provide for up to six months' imprisonment for each of them.

An employee of the Binagadi District Court confirmed the information about the preparatory hearing in the case of Samira Gasimli.

Yusifov was unavailable for comment.