Statement on the Third Extension of Lawyer Zabil Gahramanov’s Detention

The Independent Lawyers Network condemns the decision of the Sabail District Court of Baku dated 16 May 2026 to extend, for the third time, the period of detention of lawyer Zabil Gahramanov as a preventive measure for another two months, until 23 July.

This decision should be regarded not only as an interference with Zabil Gahramanov’s right to liberty and security of person, but also as part of the ongoing repressive policy in Azerbaijan targeting the right to defence, lawyers’ freedom of expression, their professional independence, and access to justice. The Independent Lawyers Network calls for the immediate release of Zabil Gahramanov, an end to the unfounded criminal prosecution against him, and guarantees enabling lawyers to carry out their professional duties independently and without fear.

Lawyer Zabil Gahramanov (1974) is a human rights lawyer who has practised law in Azerbaijan for many years. In the course of his legal practice, Gahramanov has repeatedly faced pressure because of complaints he lodged concerning unlawful actions by law-enforcement bodies, and his clients have been pressured to refuse his legal representation.

In June 2025, Gahramanov posted critical comments on social media concerning the conduct of officers of the Ganja City Main Police Department in connection with the cases of his clients. Following this, on the basis of a complaint by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Gahramanov’s licence to practise law was suspended by a decision of the Presidium of the Bar Association on 8 October 2025 for a period of six months, from 8 October 2025 until 8 April 2026.

The Azerbaijan Bar Association justified its disciplinary decision on the grounds that Gahramanov had allegedly expressed unfounded views about officers of the Ganja City Main Police Department and disseminated information that was untrue. However, in reaching this conclusion, the Bar Association failed to take into account the applicable international standards and key criteria concerning lawyers’ freedom of expression. In particular, the Bar Association made no genuine attempt to strike a fair balance between, on the one hand, the protection of the reputation of the police authorities and, on the other, lawyers’ right to express critical views on matters of public interest and the independent defence function of the legal profession. Such a one-sided assessment is also inconsistent with the approach of the European Court of Human Rights, according to which lawyers enjoy a broader scope of freedom of expression not only in the courtroom but also in public, given their important role in the administration of justice.

Fifteen days after this disciplinary sanction, on 23 October 2025, criminal proceedings were initiated against lawyer Gahramanov at the Ganja City Main Police Department, following which he was detained as a suspect and charged with hooliganism and fraud. This sequence of events gives rise to reasonable grounds to believe that the criminal prosecution may be linked to Gahramanov’s professional activities and his exercise of freedom of expression, and that it may be aimed at punishing and silencing him.

The Independent Lawyers Network’s analysis of the case materials shows that the court decisions ordering Zabil Gahramanov’s detention and extending the period of his detention were not based on any concrete facts. The courts relied on general and formulaic reasoning commonly used in Azerbaijani judicial practice. By referring to broad and formal grounds such as allegations that Gahramanov posed a danger to society, might abscond from the investigation, or could influence participants in the proceedings, the courts failed to conduct any individualised assessment of his case.

As direct participants in the justice system, lawyers should not be regarded as external observers of the shortcomings they witness, but as actors who have a responsibility to inform the public about them.

The Independent Lawyers Network recalls that all States have an obligation, in accordance with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, to ensure that lawyers are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment, or improper interference, and without fear of reprisals.

The Independent Lawyers Network calls on the Azerbaijani State to comply with its international obligations, in particular those arising under the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, including the following:

Article 5. Right to liberty and security

1. Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be deprived of his liberty save in the following cases and in accordance with a procedure prescribed by law.

Article 10. Freedom of expression

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.

The Independent Lawyers Network calls on the prosecutorial authorities, which are responsible for ensuring compliance with the law in criminal proceedings in Azerbaijan, to immediately terminate the criminal case against Zabil Gahramanov.

We also call on international bodies working to protect lawyers, bar associations, and in particular the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) and the European Bars Federation (FBE), to closely monitor the case of lawyer Zabil Gahramanov, to raise the issue of his immediate release with the Azerbaijani authorities, and to urge the Azerbaijan Bar Association to give full effect to its institutional duty to protect its members.