Court proceedings against APFP Chairman Ali Karimli begin amid political tensions
On August 13, the court proceedings against Ali Karimli, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), commenced at the Nasimi District Court in Baku. The trial, overseen by Judge Babek Panahov, follows a defamation complaint filed by Aydın Aliyev, a former party member, under Article 147.1 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code.
Aliyev, expelled from the APFP in 2019, alleges that Karimli made defamatory statements about him, claiming that Aliyev had lost the party’s trust due to his alleged pro-government stance. These statements, made during various online appearances and a party meeting, are at the center of Aliyev’s complaint. He is seeking a six-month prison sentence for Karimli.
During the court session, it was revealed that Aliyev had recently submitted additional documentation to his complaint, which Karimli and his legal team, led by lawyer Fakhreddin Mehdiyev, had not received prior to the hearing. Mehdiyev argued that the complaint lacked the necessary details as required by Article 293 of the Criminal Procedure Code, making it invalid for court proceedings. The judge has given Aliyev time to provide further clarifications and to submit a disk containing evidence of Karimli’s alleged defamatory statements.
This legal battle is part of a broader conflict between the APFP and Azerbaijani authorities, who, according to the party, are attempting to dismantle the organization and silence its leader. The APFP has issued statements condemning the legal actions as politically motivated, pointing out that Karimli has faced numerous legal and physical challenges over the years, including restrictions on his internet and phone access, and repeated instances of harassment.
The APFP, in a statement released on August 12, urged the international community to monitor the situation closely and take measures against what it describes as the authoritarian actions of the Azerbaijani government. The party believes these legal actions are part of a broader strategy by President Ilham Aliyev’s regime to eliminate political opposition and move towards a one-party state.
The next court session is scheduled for August 19, as the APFP braces for what it sees as a politically charged legal confrontation that could significantly impact the party’s future in the political landscape in Azerbaijan.
