Azerbaijan: Arrest and arbitrary detention of lawyer Zabil Gahramanov
19 January 2026
The OIAD is deeply concerned about the arrest and pre-trial detention of Mr Zabil Gahramanov, an Azerbaijani lawyer well known for defending people detained on political grounds and for his public statements denouncing police violence.
On 23 October 2025, Mr Gahramanov, a lawyer at the Ganja Regional Legal Office, was arrested by officers from the Ganja Police Department.
On 25 October, the Ganja court ordered his detention for a period of three months. He was initially charged with “hooliganism” and subsequently with “fraud”, without any basis.
On 19 January 2026, the Sabail court ordered the extension of his pre-trial detention for an additional two months. According to the defence, the investigation was then transferred to the main investigation department of the Ministry of the Interior. Mr Gahramanov was transferred to Baku and placed in the capital’s pre-trial detention centre.
These proceedings come amid growing pressure on the legal profession. On 8 October 2025, the Azerbaijan Bar Association decided to suspend Mr Gahramanov from practising law for six months, following a complaint filed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs had filed a complaint against Mr Gahramanov following public statements by the lawyer denouncing violations of citizens’ rights within the Ganja police department.
Various elements raise serious doubts about the impartiality of the proceedings. The defence has pointed out irregularities in the investigation, particularly regarding the jurisdiction of the authorities involved. In addition, media outlets close to the government have publicised the accusations, leading to the stigmatisation of Mr Gahramanov.
The Observatory is deeply concerned about the worrying trend of increasing repression against the legal profession in Azerbaijan, against a backdrop of restrictions targeting human rights defenders, independent media and the political opposition. Targeting a lawyer for his professional activities and his criticism of the authorities seriously undermines the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
The Observatory reminds the Azerbaijani State of its obligation to guarantee lawyers the exercise of their functions without intimidation, harassment or reprisals, in accordance with, in particular, the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
The Observatory calls on the Azerbaijani authorities to release Mr Zabil Gahramanov immediately and unconditionally and to drop all charges against him.
The Observatory urges the State of Azerbaijan to comply with its international obligations, in particular under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:
- « Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law. » (Article 9)
- « Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice. » (Article 19§2)
Finally, the Observatory recalls that Azerbaijan, as a member of the Council of Europe and a party to the European Convention on Human Rights, is legally bound to ensure full compliance with it.
