The Khatai District Court of Baku considered a petition to transfer public activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev to house arrest. The defence based the request on the lack of investigative necessity to keep him in detention, as well as on his health due to the prolonged hunger strike. However, the court left the man in pre-trial detention.
Hajiyev himself said at the sitting that the criminal case against him was fabricated with the aim of punishing for public activities, criticism of the government, and performances in the international arena. He said he would continue his hunger strike until he was released.
The US State Department reminded the Azerbaijani authorities of their responsibility for the welfare of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev and called for his release. Supporters of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) expressed concern about the arrest of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev. «We call upon the authorities of Azerbaijan to immediately release the activist and provide him with full access to appropriate medical care», - said the Co-Rapporteurs of PACE.
Bakhtiyar Hajiyev was detained on 9 December 2022 on charges of hooliganism and contempt of court. On the same day, the court arrested him for one month and 20 days. On 21 January, the arrest was extended for another month. International human rights organizations called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release the activist.