Trial Begins in Rennes for 2021 Assassination Attempt on Azerbaijani Dissident Mahammad Mirzali

On May 26, 2026, the trial commenced in Rennes of nine Azerbaijani men accused of attempting to assassinate Mahammad Mirzali, a known Azerbaijani dissident and political refugee residing in France since 2015. The defendants face charges including attempted murder, complicity in attempted murder, and criminal conspiracy. Some of the accused have documented links to organized crime, though the individuals who commissioned the attack remain unidentified.

Mirzali, a blogger and outspoken critic of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev's regime, was targeted in an assassination attempt five years ago. His political asylum in France underscores the cross-border nature of the attack, which is now subject to a three-week trial at the Ille-et-Vilaine assize court in Rennes. The case highlights international efforts to address politically motivated violence against refugees and dissidents in Europe.

Despite the severity of the charges, questions remain about the masterminds behind the plot. The trial aims to unravel the conspiracy surrounding the attack while holding those directly involved accountable. The proceedings are also a focal point on the dangers faced by political refugees advocating for change from abroad.