The pre-trial detention of four Azerbaijani civil society representatives has been extended by another three months, following rulings by the Binagadi District Court on July 9.

Those affected include Mammad Alpay, executive director of the “Election Monitoring” Alliance, Bashir Suleymanli, head of the Institute for Civil Rights, Asaf Ahmadov, who leads the Ganja Regional Community Centre, and social worker Zamin Zaki.

Mammad Alpay was detained on March 14, 2025. On the same day, Bashir Suleymanli, Hafiz Hasanov, who leads the Law and Development Public Union, and Khalid Aghaliyev, coordinator of the “Media Law Institute”, were also taken into custody. Their homes were searched. Aghaliyev was later released.

That day, the Binagadi District Court ruled to place Alpay and Suleymanli in pre-trial detention for three months and 28 days. On March 17, a separate court decision placed Hafiz Hasanov under four months of house arrest.

On April 9, the same case led to the arrest of Asaf Ahmadov and Zamin Zaki, who were placed in pre-trial detention for three months and four days.

All six are charged with legalizing large amounts of property obtained through criminal means, abuse of official powers causing serious consequences, and forgery in office.

Two others involved in the case - Subhan Hasanli, head of the Social Rights Centre, and activist Aytaj Aghazadeh have been placed under arrest in absentia, as they are currently outside the country and wanted by authorities.

Several other NGO leaders and members have been placed under police supervision during the investigation.