Baku: A trial has commenced in the Baku Court of Grave Crimes against Sevinj Mirzayeva (Osmangizi), Abid Gafarov, and Beydulla Manafov, who face charges of making public calls against the state. The session was presided over by Judge Nigar Imanova, where the personal details of the defendants were clarified, marking the beginning of the judicial review process, with the next hearing scheduled for January 13.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Sevinj Mirzayeva, also known as Sevinc Osman qizi Mirzayeva, has been accused under Article 281.2 of the Criminal Code. It was reported that she fled from investigative authorities and hid abroad, leading to her being declared wanted. Later, on September 18, 2025, the charges were amended to include Articles 220.2 and 281.2, based on her video appeals on her YouTube channel 'Sevinc Osmanqizi TV', where she allegedly incited opposition against the legal authorities in Azerbaijan.
The accusations claim that through her channel, Mirzayeva, along with Beydulla Manafov and others, influenced public sentiment to oppose the authorities unlawfully. These activities purportedly involved calls for active disobedience and participation in riots, aiming for the forcible seizure of power. These video materials were accessible to a large audience online, reinforcing the allegations against her.
In addition to Mirzayeva, public activist Abid Qafarov, residing abroad, has been charged under the same articles of the Criminal Code. It is alleged that Qafarov, acting in concert with others, made deliberate calls for the forcible seizure of power through videos on the 'AzerFreedom TV' and 'Sevinc Osmanqizi TV' channels, inciting mass riots and disobedience against the lawful authorities.
Lastly, the Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office has also implicated Beydulla Manafov, who lives abroad, under Articles 281.2 and 283.1 of the Criminal Code, for his involvement in the alleged activities.
The case continues to unfold as the judicial proceedings progress, with all eyes on the upcoming hearing in January.