"There is a misconception in the society that "a lawyer is guilty of defending a criminal""

"I was seriously concerned about the burning Azer İsmayılov's car, a lawyer working in Zagatala, and the rumors that it was committed intentionally. We discussed the issue with the chairman of the Azerbaijani Bar Association, Anar Baghirov. The chairman of the board immediately reacted to the issue, established serious communication with the relevant structures, the problem is under the control of the Interior Ministry, and I personally know the sensitivity of the Minister Vilayat Eyvazov on such issues".

The statement was made by MP Bahruz Maharramov, a member of the Parliamentary Law Policy and State Building Committee, e-huquq.az reports.

The MP also said that he had contacted advocate Azer Ismayilov regarding the incident: "The advocate has reasonable doubts that the incident was committed in connection with a case under investigation. Of course, the decision on the possibility and validity of this version will be made by the relevant authorities. However, there is a reality that sometimes in our society, factor of professional implementation of defender and lawyer's activity goes into the background. A lawyer is equated with the suspect or accused he is defending or with the nature of the case. That is, there is still a misconception that "if the lawyer he is defending is a criminal, then the lawyer is guilty for defending the criminal." Although the law explicitly states that a defense counsel cannot be equated with the identity of the suspect or accused and the nature of the criminal case in which he/she is present.

The former lawyer, as well as a member of the Parliamentary Law Policy and State Building Committee, including Human Rights, said that the incident, which contradicts the interests of the state in the field of effective protection of human and civil rights and freedoms, will be investigated objectively. I hope and believe that a thorough, complete and objective investigation of all the relevant cases will expose and prosecute the perpetrator or perpetrators, if the probability proves justified. "

B.Maharramov noted that sometimes such cases are exacerbated by serious gaps in the legislation on advocacy.

"In order to prevent possible abuse of this gap, I plan to submit a bill to the Milli Majlis in the near future, which aims to make it safer for lawyers to carry out their professional activities," he said.