Azerbaijan condemns US Embassy's interference in judicial processes as unacceptable

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has firmly rejected criticism from the U.S. Embassy in Baku regarding the recent court verdict against Bakhtiyar Hajiyev.

In a statement shared on social media, MFA spokesperson Aykhan Hajizade condemned what he described as external interference in Azerbaijan’s judicial processes, Caliber.Az reports.

The valid judgement against Bakhtiyar Hajiyev is based on multiple evidences in the case, and external intervention on the court procedures are unacceptable.

Interestingly, while the same type of tax fraud and financial crimes are multiple times severely punished in the United… https://t.co/Y5iiuHrDdQ

— Aykhan Hajizada (@Aykhanh) January 15, 2025

"The valid judgement against Bakhtiyar Hajiyev is based on multiple evidences in the case, and external intervention on the court procedures are unacceptable," Hajizade stated in a post on the social media platform X.

Hajizade also highlighted perceived double standards in the U.S. position, pointing to harsher penalties for similar offenses within the United States. "Interestingly, while the same type of tax fraud and financial crimes are multiple times severely punished in the United States that might reach up to 30 years of imprisonment, why this country is disappointed with the penalty against such crimes in other countries. Seems that such an approach is based on political interests rather than raising the importance of rule of law," he added.

The comments followed a statement by the U.S. Embassy, expressing dismay over the outcome of Hajiyev’s trial. "The United States was deeply disappointed in the recent judgement against Bakhtiyar Hajiyev.  We continue to urge Azerbaijan to adhere to its international obligations and commitments and to release those unjustly detained," the embassy noted.

Hajiyev’s trial, held at the Baku Court on Grave Crimes, concluded with Judge Ali Mammadov handing down a 10-year prison sentence. The activist faced multiple charges, including money laundering, smuggling, hooliganism, and forgery.

By Vugar Khalilov