08.05.2023

Masdan Dadashova was apprehended for smuggling women across the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The investigation was conducted by the Main Department on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. A criminal case was initiated under Articles 144-1.2.1, 144-1.2.2, and 144-1.2.4-1 (Trafficking in Human Beings) of the Criminal Code, following the discovery of evidence of sexual exploitation. Masdan Dadashova was formally charged under these articles, and the case was forwarded to the court for adjudication. On January 31, 2023, the Baku Grave Crimes Court rendered a judgment finding M. Dadashova guilty and sentenced her to 5 years' imprisonment.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the verdict, the defendant's lawyer filed an appeal seeking to overturn the sentence. In response, the public prosecutor lodged a protest appeal requesting the exclusion of the provisions applying Article 62 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (imposing a lesser penalty than prescribed for the crime).
In accordance with the ruling of the Criminal Division of the Baku Court of Appeal, Masdan Dadashova's sentence was revised to 8 years, pursuant to Articles 144-1.2.1, 144-1.2.2, and 144-1.2.3-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.