Bakhtiyar Hajiyev is an Azerbaijani social and community leader, pro-democracy activist and former parliamentary candidate. He studied applied mathematics at Baku State University, obtained a master’s degree from Khazar University and graduated from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

He founded and directed the Public Policy Institute, an independent think tank working on public policy, civic participation and democratic governance.

In 2011, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on a military-service evasion charge after using social media to call for peaceful protests. He was conditionally released in June 2012. International human-rights organisations considered that prosecution politically motivated.

On 9 December 2022, Hajiyev was arrested again, initially on charges of hooliganism and contempt of court. The prosecution subsequently expanded the case to include financial offences, including illegal entrepreneurship and tax evasion. He denied the charges and described the proceedings as retaliation for his activism and criticism of the authorities.

On 13 January 2025, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced him to ten years’ imprisonment, ordered the confiscation of his home and funds in his bank accounts, and imposed a one-year ban on educational activities following his release.

He was convicted on multiple criminal charges, including money laundering, tax evasion, and other alleged financial and economic offences. He and his co-defendants have consistently rejected all charges, maintaining that the criminal proceedings against them are politically motivated and linked to their legitimate and professional works within civil society. International organisations recognise him as a political prisoner.