Zamin Salayev is an Azerbaijani opposition activist affiliated with the Popular Front Party (AXCP/PFPA) and served as the chairman of its Salyan district branch. He had previously faced pressure from authorities due to his political activity and public criticism of government officials.

He was detained on 7 February 2023 and charged with hooliganism involving the use of a weapon. Salayev denied the accusation from the outset, stating that the incident had been fabricated and pointing to inconsistencies in witness testimony and objective evidence, including timing discrepancies.

Despite these concerns, the courts relied heavily on prosecution-generated materials, including witness statements and forensic reports, without adequately addressing contradictions or testing the defense’s claims of fabrication. Key evidentiary issues, including inconsistencies in the injured party’s account and gaps in the handling of physical evidence, were not meaningfully examined.

His case follows a broader pattern in Azerbaijan in which opposition activists are prosecuted under public-order charges such as hooliganism. Observers, including international organizations, have linked his prosecution to his political activism and criticism on social media.

During his detention, Salayev undertook a prolonged hunger strike, drawing public attention to his case and raising concerns about his treatment in custody. His prosecution is widely regarded as politically motivated and as part of ongoing repression against opposition figures in Azerbaijan.