09.06.2007

Criminal Law Specialist Alan Gabel addressing lawyers and advocates in Ganja on July 28, 2007 on the importance of trial preparation and cross examination of witnesses.

The ABA Rule of Law Initiative’s Azerbaijan Criminal Law Program has successfully completed a series of trainings for criminal defense attorneys in the rural regions of Azerbaijan. The program has long since recognized the importance of reaching out to all parts of the country, since a disproportionate number of the defense bar resides in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, while the majority of the population resides in the outlying regions. For that purpose, the criminal law program, headed by Legal Specialist Alan Gabel and Staff Attorney Aynur Jafarova, has devoted most of this summer traveling outside of Baku. Throughout July and August, staff traveled separately to the rural regions of Azerbaijan boarding Iran, Armenia and Russia to deliver trainings on topics such as the “Fight Against Corruption,” “Law on Combating Trafficking in Persons,” and trial advocacy skills for defense attorneys.

“It was apparent from the reception we received,” stated Gabel, “that there is a hunger for more training and education in the regions. The lawyers and advocates welcomed ABA ROLI with excitement and appreciation.” 

In the upcoming year, the criminal law program will continue its ambitious plan to reach out to the rural areas of Azerbaijan. Conducting multiple trainings in the regions is a reflection of the Rule of Law Initiative’s desire to serve all the lawyers and advocates in Azerbaijan. (In Azerbaijan a criminal defense attorney is called an “advocate” while others who practice civil law are called “lawyers.”)

For more information please contact Alan Gabel, Criminal Law Specialist at alan.gabel@aba-az.org.