Trial to Open in Azerbaijan’s “NGO Case” Involving GMF Adviser Mehriban Rahimli

The trial of Mehriban Rahimli, a former Azerbaijan adviser to the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), is set to begin as part of the ongoing criminal proceedings widely referred to as the country’s “NGO case.”

The case will be heard at the Baku Serious Crimes Court under the chairmanship of Judge Namiq Karimov. The first court hearing is scheduled for February 11.

Mehriban Rahimli was formally included in the investigation on March 24, 2025, and placed under police supervision as a preventive measure. She previously worked as an adviser on Azerbaijan-related issues for GMF.

The broader “NGO case” emerged in early 2025 and has led to the arrest and prosecution of multiple civil society figures. Among those detained are Bashir Suleymanli, arrested within a wider criminal case involving non-governmental organizations, and Mammad Alpay (Mammadzada), executive director of the Election Monitoring Alliance.

In April, similar legal measures were imposed on civic activist Asaf Ahmadov, social worker Zamin Zaki, and Ahmad Mammadzada. Several other activists were placed under alternative preventive measures rather than pretrial detention, including Hafiz Hasanov, head of the “Law and Development” Public Union, as well as Galib Bayramov and Nargiz Mukhtarova, who were also placed under police supervision. Authorities have additionally issued arrest warrants in absentia for Subhan Hasanli, head of the Social Rights Center who is currently abroad, and civic activist Aytac Agazade.

All defendants face charges under articles of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code related to money laundering, abuse of official authority, and official forgery. Those charged have denied the allegations, stating that the prosecutions are politically motivated.