Tofig Yagublu presented his defense to the judges.

Contrary to established practice, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan allowed convicted politician Tofig Yagublu to speak at his cassation appeal hearing. The politician maintained his innocence.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on November 6, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan began hearing Tofig Yagublu's cassation appeal against his sentence. The politician wanted to speak in his own defense because, according to him, the lower courts failed to conduct an objective investigation. Presiding Judge Ilgar Gylyjov stated that the Supreme Court only considers procedural violations in cases, and that convicted individuals do not appeal. However, he will give Tofig Yagublu such an opportunity, but on another day.

17:25 10.11.2025

Tofig Yagublu awarded the World Freedom Congress

Opposition politician Tofig Yagublu, who is serving a prison sentence in Azerbaijan, has been awarded the "Courage" award. The award was presented at a ceremony in Berlin to Yagublu's Azerbaijani human rights defenders in exile, Leyla and Arif Yunus.

On December 19, a hearing on Tofig Yagublu's cassation appeal was held at the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan, the politician's daughter, Nigar Hazi, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent today.

According to her, Yagublu spoke in his own defense at the hearing, and his lawyers supported the cassation appeal, declaring the politician's innocence.

"However, the judges were unable to reach a decision. Presiding Judge Ilgar Gylyjov said that 'time is needed for deliberation,' and the decision will be announced at a hearing scheduled in the coming days. Interestingly, the female prosecutor, who acted as the state prosecutor, did not introduce herself at the hearing. She also spoke out against upholding the cassation appeal," she said. Hazi.

A Supreme Court official confirmed to a Caucasian Knot correspondent that the decision in Yagublu's case "will be announced later." Representatives of the prosecution were unavailable for comment.