In Azerbaijan, Court deprives lawyer Aslan Ismailov of his advocate status

In Azerbaijan, the advocate's power of lawyer Aslan Ismailov has been terminated. This decision was made today by the Nariman District Court of Baku to grant the request of the Advocates' Bar of Azerbaijan to deprive Aslan Ismailov of advocate status and to expel him from the Advocates' Chamber. Aslan Ismailov himself does not agree with the decision of the Court. He treats it as politically motivated and intends to challenge it.

Let us remind you that on May 8, the Presidium of the Advocates' Chamber of Azerbaijan decided to suspend the advocate activity of Aslan Ismailov and to expel him from the Advocates' Chamber. The decision was motivated by the complaint filed by Elnur Gasanov, Judge of the Sabail District Court of Baku, that the lawyer allegedly insulted him. It happened after on February 10, Aslan Ismailov himself complained about the Judge's actions to the Judicial Council and claimed his bias.

The advocate believes that he is under pressure because of his public criticism on the problems of corruption, human rights violations, and abuse of power of staff members of the judicial system.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that earlier, in Azerbaijan, the decisions about punishment of advocates took place. In August 2011, the Advocates' Chamber has decided to suspend for one year the powers of advocate Khalid Bagirov after Rafiq Abbasov, Chief of Baku Police, complained about his actions. After one-year suspension, the advocate continued his activities.