Ilhamiz Guliyev is a lawyer from the Aghdam region. At the beginning of his career, he briefly worked for the government as an investigative assistant with the police but resigned and started working as a program manager at the Institute for Citizens’ Rights. He provided legal counseling and assistance to various vulnerable groups, including the families of war dead and veterans. Since 2021, Guliyev offered legal help to residents of the Agdam region.

In early October 2023, the court sentenced Guliyev to 30 days of administrative arrest on charges of disobeying the police and petty hooliganism, a few days after giving an anonymous interview to Abzas Media about how the police planted drugs on critics. Authorities also banned his travels. Despite his anonymity in the interview, Guliyev was identified and subsequently arrested.

On December 4, 2023, the Yasamal district police department detained Guliyev. He was held in the Yasamal district police department under charges of large-scale drug trafficking. During the arrest, allegedly Guliyev suffered a head injury and was tortured by the police in detention.

On December 6, 2023, the Yasamal district court remanded Guliyev to four months of pre-trial detention. Authorities banned his family from visiting him in prison. On April 3, 2024, the court prolonged his pre-trial detention for another 20 days.   

On May 2, 2024, the Baku Court of Serious Crimes began hearings in the criminal case against Guliyev. His next trial is scheduled for August 8, 2024.