Rail Abbasov is a human rights activist and long-time associate of democracy activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev. They participated together in various civil society projects. After Hajiyev’s arrest, Abbasov led a public campaign for Hajiyev’s release. 

On June 6, 2023, Abbasov was summoned to the police for questioning and his apartment was searched. On the morning of September 19, 2023, the Nasimi District police arrested Rail Abbasov. He was initially questioned as a witness. Later in the evening, he was detained as a suspect under charges of large-scale fraud. According to his lawyer, one person has filed a complaint against Abbasov, who pleaded not guilty. On September 20, 2023, the Nasimi District Court placed Abbasov under four months of pre-trial detention.

On January 18, 2024, the Nasimi District Court of Baku extended Abbasov’s pre-trial detention for an additional two months.

In April 2024, the Baku Court of Serious Crimes began hearings in the criminal case against Abbasov.