Baku: The final court hearing in the criminal case against Arastun Orujlu, accused of making anti-state calls, took place today at the Baku Court on Grave Crimes. The hearing was presided over by Judge Babek Panahov, who announced an in absentia verdict sentencing Orujlu to eight years of imprisonment.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, charges were brought against Orujlu under Article 281.2 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to public calls directed against the state, committed repeatedly or by a group of persons. Orujlu evaded investigation and is currently in hiding outside Azerbaijan, leading to his placement on a wanted list. Consequently, the Binagadi District Court imposed a preventive measure of arrest in absentia on February 23, 2025.

On September 18, additional charges were filed against Orujlu under Articles 220.2 and 281.2 of the Criminal Code. These charges followed incidents on January 4, 2023, and October 24, 2024, when Orujlu, along with others, allegedly made and disseminated calls on YouTube channels, encouraging the use of force against Azerbaijan's legally established government.