Rufat Safarov's Detention Extended Amidst Allegations and Family Concerns

The Binagadi District Court extended the pretrial detention of human rights defender Rufat Safarov until May 3, 2025. This decision followed a submission from the investigative body, which the court deemed necessary due to the collection of new evidence.

Rufat Safarov, the director of the "Line of Defense" human rights organization, was initially arrested on December 3, 2024. He faces charges under Criminal Code Articles 127.2.3 (intentional infliction of less serious bodily harm), 178.3.2 (fraud causing significant damage), and 221.1 (hooliganism).

The criminal case alleges that Safarov defrauded Natig Imamguliyev of 60,000 manats under the pretense of selling land in Novkhani. An altercation reportedly occurred on December 3, during which Safarov allegedly assaulted Imamguliyev.

Safarov denies these accusations, asserting that they are fabricated and politically motivated. He claims that on the day of his arrest, while returning home at approximately 5:00 p.m., he was attacked in his garage. He states that police officers immediately intervened, handcuffed him, and took him into custody. He maintains that he has never received money from Natig Imamguliyev and had never met him before the garage incident.

Despite his imprisonment, Rufat Safarov was honored with the “Strong Human Rights Defender of the Year” award on December 10, 2024, International Human Rights Day, by then-U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken noted that Safarov was unable to accept the award in person due to his detention for his human rights activities.

Prior to his current detention, Safarov had a history of challenging the Azerbaijani government. He resigned from his position as an investigator at the Prosecutor’s Office in December 2015, protesting human rights violations and the non-enforcement of laws.

Subsequently, he was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to nine years in prison, but was released in March 2019 following a presidential pardon. After his release, he established "Line of Defense" and resumed his human rights advocacy.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the treatment of Safarov's family. On December 6, 2024, his mother, Tahira Tahirqizi, was summoned to the Baku City Main Police Department to testify as a witness but refused, asserting her son's innocence. The family reported that a travel ban was imposed on Tahirqizi, preventing her from taking her critically ill husband, Eldar Sabiroglu, to Turkey for medical treatment. On January 7, 2025, Tahirqizi reported that the travel ban had been lifted, and she had traveled to Turkey with her husband.

Rufat Safarov, from detention, questioned why his mother was not allowed to travel with his ailing father, addressing the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The human rights defender maintains that his current detention is connected to his professional activities and his ongoing work in defense of human rights.