Azer Gasimli is the co-founder and director of the Institute of Political Management, a think tank dedicated to human rights education, advocacy, the role of law in governance, gender equality, anti-corruption policy, public administration, economics, democratic transitions, green politics, and electoral rights. Gasimli holds PhD in Political Science and worked on various topics, including human rights and criticism of authoritarian regimes.  

On December 8, 2024, while waiting for his son at football school, Gasimli was approached by plainclothes police officers and detained. Despite requesting permission to call his wife, the police refused. When he protested, they physically restrained him. Gasimli started shouting when one parent intervened, objecting to the police's actions. During the arrest, Gasimli suffered both psychological and physical pressure and ill-treatment by the police.

Prior to his arrest, Gasimli was subject to a travel ban. He learned of this restriction on November 22, 2024, while attempting to travel to a European country.

On December 9, 2024, the Yasamal District Court of Baku remanded Gasimli for four months in pre-trial detention.