Azerbaijani Court to try blogger Alimanov over anti-state calls

A preparatory hearing was held at the Baku Serious Crimes Court in the case of Imameddin Alimanov, a blogger living abroad, who is charged with repeated public calls against the Azerbaijani state.

Judge Huseyn Huseynli chaired the hearing. It was revealed that Alimanov failed to appear in court despite receiving an official notice from the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The court ruled that the trial would be held behind closed doors. The main hearing is scheduled for July 18.

Alimanov is charged under Article 281.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code (repeated public calls against the state). He has been on the wanted list since May 27, 2021, following a decision by the Binagadi District Court, which also ordered his pre-trial detention in absentia.