The defense demands that the preventive measure for lawyer Gakhramanov be softened.

Lawyer Zabil Gahramanov's pretrial detention has been extended for the third time. His defense has appealed the decision and is insisting on changing his pretrial detention.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on January 19, the court extended the pretrial detention of lawyer Zabil Gahramanov by two months. The defense considers this decision unfounded and has filed an appeal. Gahramanov's colleagues considered the case politically motivated. In November 2025, the court upheld the investigator's decision to ban Gahramanov from communicating with his family. On March 18, a court in Baku extended Gahramanov's pretrial detention for another two months, until May 25.

Zabil Gahramanov's defense team has filed an appeal against the latest, third extension of his pretrial detention, his lawyer, Rasul Jafarov, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to him, on May 18, the Sabail District Court of Baku, having granted another motion by the investigation, ordered Gahramanov to remain in custody for another two months, until July 23.

In court, a representative of the investigation justified the motion by citing the need for additional investigative actions, while the defense asked the court to dismiss the motion. The lawyers pointed out that Gakhramanov has been in custody without cause for seven months, and that this time was sufficient for a comprehensive investigation.

The defense is asking the appellate court to overturn the Sabail Court's decision and change Gakhramanov's pretrial detention, his lawyer said.

Gakhramanov's other lawyer, Fariz Namazly, reacted emotionally to the extension of his client's detention and the public's indifference to his case.

“A lawyer who speaks out against lawlessness and openly criticizes the arbitrary exercise of law enforcement has himself become a target of the same system. And what's even more dangerous is that society is gradually becoming accustomed to this. People watch as a lawyer is silenced and then pass by. Meanwhile, the person whose right to defense is being taken away today may be the last one to defend you tomorrow. The most “quiet” times come precisely when people say, “This doesn't concern me.” People don't start knocking on doors right away; they come to others' doors first, and everyone remains silent, then the line gradually approaches. This silence is not only fear, but also silent consent, which lays the foundation for tomorrow. In 1937, they knocked on doors according to the same principle,” Namazly wrote on his social media page.

An employee of the Sabail Court confirmed the information about the extension of Gakhramanov's arrest. Representatives of the prosecution were unavailable for comment.

The Institute for the Rule of Law of the International Union of Lawyers (UIA-IROL) previously expressed deep concern over the arrest of Azerbaijani lawyer and human rights activist Zabil Gahramanov. The organization's statement noted that this process may be related to his professional activities and criticism of illegal police actions in Azerbaijan. In turn, the International Observatory for the Protection of Lawyers called on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release Gahramanov and drop all charges against him.

Zabil Gahramanov, registered with the Ganja Regional Bureau of Lawyers, has defended victims of human rights violations for many years, including political prisoners and people subjected to torture and false accusations. His criminal prosecution "may be punitive in nature related to his activities," Gahramanov's colleagues noted.