UKRAINE, KHARKIV, Oct. 13 — A court in Kharkiv is delaying the review of the appeal in the case of Bahruz Gasanli, an Azerbaijani citizen and opposition figure, because the judges who had previously issued the order for Gasanli’s extradition arrest were included in judicial panel twice. A date for the new appeal review has not yet been set, Oleh Maksymeno, one of Gasanli’s lawyers, told Gwara Media.

On Jul. 27, Ukrainian law enforcement detained Gasanli based on an Interpol Red Notice request. Azerbaijani law enforcement is searching for him in connection with an alleged fraud case. At first, the court ordered the man to be placed under nighttime house arrest, but later ruled that he be detained in prison for 40 days.

On Aug. 20, Kharkiv’s Novobavarskyi dвistrict court granted a prosecutor’s request to place Gasanli under extradition arrest for 12 months. Human rights organizations following the case believe Gasanli’s persecution by Baku is connected to his political activities and “could cause a serious threat to his freedom, safety, and fundamental human rights” upon return to Azerbaijan.

Gasanli’s lawyers have filed an appeal against this decision.

Maksymenko told Gwara judge Hiertsyk, one of the judges who issued the order for Gasanli’s arrest, was included on the judicial panel for the first hearing to review the appeal. Gasanli’s lawyers filed a motion to recuse judge Hiertsyk.

The new judicial panel included judges Kruzhylina and Liushnia, who had also previously issued the arrest warrant for Gasanli. Maksymenko said that they did not recuse on their own initiative, so he resubmitted the motion. 

It’s currently unknown when the next review hearing will happen and who’ll be on the judicial panel. According to the lawyer, the court explains the delay by the need to prepare the full text of the court decision.

Maksymenko said he plans to file a complaint with the High Council of Justice regarding the judges’ actions, as he believes the delay in hearing the appeal and reassignments of the case require investigation.

Maksymenko also appealed the pretrial measure imposed on Gasanli, as his 12-month extradition arrest does not allow for bail. The lawyer considered this decision unlawful and claimed violations during the hearing on the motion for extradition, specifically regarding the prosecution’s documentation and the verification of the prosecutor’s authority.

Bahruz Gasanli, Maksymenko said, has issues with sleep and is depressed because of his detention. The situation is also difficult for his family, as his child is upset by what is happening to the father, and his wife, who has problems with her leg following surgeries, can’t go down to the shelter with the child during an air raid alert, the lawyer added.

It is also known that Gasanli voluntarily served as a security aide to Ali Karimli, the leader of the APFP and one of the key figures in the Azerbaijani opposition. 

Currently, Karimli is brought before trial in Baku. On Jun. 10, 2025, an Azerbaijani court charged him with an attempted coup. There is still no final verdict in the case, but Karimli’s lawyers said that he could face 12 to 20 years in prison if convicted. 

More on Bahruz Gasanli’s case:

  • Kharkiv court rules to detain Azerbaijani opposition figure Bahruz Gasanli as Zelenskyy meets with Azerbaijan foreign minister
  • Kharkiv’s court orders 12-month extradition detention to Azerbaijani opposition figure Bahruz Gasanli

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