Verdict on the murder of Avaz Hafizli will be read today

Today (July 29) at 3:30 p.m., Amrulla Gulaliyev, who is accused of murdering LGBTQ+ activist and journalist Avaz Hafizli (Shikhmammadov), will be sentenced at the Baku Court of Grave Crimes.

He is charged with Article 120.1 (Deliberate murder) of the Criminal Code and asked to be sentenced for 10 years and 6 months.

Court sessions are open. Activists present at the trial said that Amrulla Gulaliyev admitted that the murder was a hate crime and said that he killed Avazi because he was an LGBTQ, and that he "ruined the name of the family". LGBTQ+ activists who participated in the last court hearing expressed their displeasure in media interviews that the hate crime, as well as the killing of Avaz in his bed, were not considered as aggravating circumstances.

Tabriz Shikhmammadov, the legal heir of the victim, said at the last court session that he had reconciled with Amrulla Gulaliyev, that he had no complaints against him, and asked for a lesser sentence of 7 years.

“Qıy Vaar” initiative group drew attention to the fact that Sevinj Huseynova, who made Avazi Hafizli an open target and called for the murder of the LGBTQ+ community, and state institutions that did not consider any of Avaz Hafizli's complaints were not held accountable.

Note: People who want to participate in the court session can enter the courtroom only with a medical mask.

Powered by Froala Editor