Trans citizen Ismayil Hacizade remains unlawfully imprisoned

On March 4th of last year, an armed robbery took place in the “Bravo” hypermarket located in the Khatai district of the capital by a group of individuals who had conspired beforehand. As a result of the robbery, Samir Shaydayev, who was performing his duties and placing funds into an ATM belonging to "Unibank Commercial Bank" OJSC installed there, was seriously injured. Rufat Hashimov, who was providing security for him, was killed, and a large sum of money was seized.

Ruhlan Ismayilov, who participated in the mentioned crime, hid in the house of his acquaintance, Ismayil Hacizade, after leaving the scene. Although Ismayil occasionally met with Ruhlan, they were unaware of the committed crime. According to their lawyer Zibeyda Sadygova, who spoke to Minority Azerbaijan, when the police knocked on Ismayil's door, they did not understand what was happening and were in shock. When the police entered, Ruhlan fired the first shot. Ismayil says that if the police had not pushed their head down and shielded them from the bullet, they might have been killed. During the shootout, Ruhlan was killed in the exchange of gunfire as he resisted the police officers with armed force.

Subsequently, Ismayil Hacizade was detained, and an investigation was conducted regarding them. Although the investigation concluded that Ismayil had no connection with the "Bravo" case, instead of being released, they were sentenced to three years in prison under Article 234.1-1 of the Criminal Code for the large-scale use of narcotics and are currently still imprisoned. Ismayil Hacizade denies the charges against them and claims they have been framed. Their appeal has also been denied. Lawyer Zibeyda Sadygova said she is preparing to file a cassation complaint in connection with the case.

Ismayil Hacizade is currently being held in the Umbaki investigation detention center and is worried about being transferred to a penal institution. LGBTQI+s are considered the lowest 'caste' in penal institutions and face severe mistreatment and discrimination.

Author: Alex Shah