Rail Abbasov is an Azerbaijani human rights activist involved in civil society initiatives. Following Bakhtiyar Hajiyev’s arrest in December 2022, he joined efforts to secure his release through Hajiyev’s Rights Defence Committee. His activities included informing the public about Hajiyev’s prosecution and raising concerns about violations of his rights in detention.

On 6 June 2023, police questioned Abbasov and searched his apartment. He was later detained on 19 September 2023 and charged under Article 178.3.2 of the Criminal Code with fraud causing large-scale financial damage.

On 9 January 2025, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced him to six years and six months’ imprisonment. The Supreme Court subsequently rejected his cassation appeal, leaving the conviction in force.

Abbasov has consistently denied wrongdoing and linked his prosecution to his work defending Bakhtiyar Hajiyev. In a statement reported in September 2026, he reiterated that the authorities had imprisoned him to prevent him from continuing that work.