The following is based on a communication written by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and other UN experts to the Government of Azerbaijan on 13 January 2026. The communication remained confidential for 60 days before being made public, giving the Government time to reply. Regrettably, the Government did not reply within this timeframe. If a reply is received it will be posted on the UN Special Procedures communications database.
Since the communication was sent, the detention of Mr. Zabil Gahramanov has been repeatedly extended, and additional charges have reportedly been brought against him, including multiple counts of fraud and hooliganism.
This is a shorter version of the original communication.
BACKGROUND
Topic: the alleged suspension of Mr. Zabil Gahramanov’s licence to practise law, along with a criminal case against him and detention, allegedly involving due process violations and breaches of his rights, which may represent retaliation for his legal and human rights work and critical statements.
Mr. Zabil Gahramanov (Zabil Köçǝri oğlu Qǝhrǝmanov) is a well-known defence lawyer and human rights defender from the city of Ganja, whose practice involved representing victims of torture, politically sensitive prosecutions, and contentious criminal matters across Azerbaijan’s regions. Alongside his legal practice, he has periodically expressed criticism of unlawful policing practices, judicial shortcomings in fair trials, and the broader state of society.
ALLEGATIONS
In June 2025, after Mr. Gahramanov publicly denounced the leadership of the Ganja police for corruption and abuse of power, the Ministry of Internal Affairs allegedly submitted a petition to the Bar Council of Azerbaijan seeking disciplinary action against him and his disbarment. On 8 October 2025, his licence was suspended for six months.
Shortly thereafter, on 23 October 2025, the Ganja Police Department initiated criminal proceedings against him for “fraud causing significant damage” (article 178.2.4 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan) and “hooliganism involving resistance to a representative of the authorities or another person performing duties to protect public order or to stop a breach of public order” (article 221.2.2 of the Criminal Code).
The fraud accusations relate to allegations that he made a false promise to a client to compensate damages in a criminal case and received payment. The hooliganism accusations concern an alleged conflict with a car wash employee, reportedly resulting in minor injuries. However, it has been alleged that the proceedings are tainted by due process violations and may represent retaliation for his work and critical statements.
On 23 October 2025, he was arrested. On 25 October 2025, the Ganja City Court ordered that he be remanded in custody for three months (until 23 January 2026) pending trial, a ruling that was subsequently upheld by the Ganja Court of Appeal on 28 October 2025. In both instances, the courts allegedly approved the prosecution’s arguments without evaluating the evidence or addressing the defence’s objections.
Mr. Gahramanov, held in pre-trial detention facility No. 2 in Ganja, has been denied visits and phone calls with his family. The restriction, imposed by an investigator from the Ganja Police Department and allegedly lacking specific grounds, was upheld by the Ganja City Court on 14 November 2025. Mr. Gahramanov also faced restrictions on contacting his lawyer and deprived of the opportunity to receive his diabetes medication.
CONCERNS
In the communication, we express our deep concern regarding the suspension of Mr. Gahramanov’s licence to practise law, as well as the ongoing criminal prosecution and detention, allegedly in response to his legal and human rights work and critical statements, which appear to constitute protected free expression. We are also concerned about the reported due process violations and the lack of equality of arms in the courts, along with breaches of his rights during detention. These issues further strengthen our concerns that the prosecution is retaliatory and raise serious doubts about the fairness of his upcoming trial. Given his reported diabetes and lack of access to medication, we are extremely concerned about the risks to his life and health. Finally, we are concerned about the chilling effect all this case may have on other lawyers in Azerbaijan, who may be discouraged from taking on cases involving human rights violations, leaving victims without the vital legal support.
