Hafiz Hasanov Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison with 3-Year Probation Period

On September 16, the Baku Court of Serious Crimes concluded the trial of Hafiz Hasanov, chairman of the NGO “Law and Development,” who was prosecuted in a criminal case publicly referred to as the “NGO case.”

The verdict was announced at the final hearing chaired by Judge Eldar Ismayilov.

Under the court’s ruling, Hafiz Hasanov was sentenced to eight years in prison, with Article 70 of the Criminal Code applied, making the sentence conditional and setting a three-year probation period. He was also deprived of the right to hold financially responsible positions in state and local self-government bodies for two years.

The court also replaced the preventive measure of police supervision previously imposed on Hasanov with a written undertaking not to leave his place of residence.

At the previous hearing, the state prosecutor had requested that Hafiz Hasanov be sentenced to nine years in prison conditionally, with a five-year probation period.

Hafiz Hasanov was brought under investigation in March 2025 as part of a criminal case initiated against representatives of non-governmental organizations and publicly referred to as the “NGO case.”

He was charged under Articles 193-1.3.2 (legalization of property acquired through criminal means in a large amount), 308.2 (abuse of official authority resulting in serious consequences), and 313 (official forgery) of the Criminal Code.

On March 17, 2025, the Binagadi District Court ordered that Hafiz Hasanov be placed under house arrest as a preventive measure.