Sittings · Document

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2025/3028(RSP)) 2025-12-15

On Azerbaijan, the arbitrary arrest and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov

on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Yannis Maniatis, Kathleen Van Brempt, Francisco Assis, Claudiu Manda, Udo Bullmann

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✦ In shortFull text
✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Parliament denounces the sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan, and expresses concern over the detention of other researchers. It calls on Azerbaijan to respect international human rights, urges targeted EU sanctions against officials, and demands conditionality for EU-Azerbaijan agreements.

Key points

  1. Denounces the sentencing of Bahruz Samadov to 15 years' imprisonment on baseless charges of high treason.
  2. Expresses alarm over Samadov's hunger strike, suicide attempt, deteriorating health, and denial of family contact and legal counsel.
  3. Recalls the 18-year sentence of historian Igbal Abilov, whose research was distorted into accusations of high treason.
  4. Expresses concern over the unjust detention of researcher Fazil Gasimov and the lack of transparent legal process.
  5. Recalls the case of economist Gubad Ibadoghlu, still under house arrest.
  6. Welcomes calls by UN experts, Council of Europe bodies, and NGOs for the release of Samadov, Abilov, and all political prisoners.
  7. Alarmed at the misuse of national-security provisions to criminalize scholarly collaboration, peace advocacy, minority-rights work, and independent analysis.
  8. Stresses that equating academic research or criticism with treason attacks academic freedom and freedom of expression.
  9. Calls on Azerbaijan to align its laws with international human-rights obligations and standards.
  10. Reaffirms call for targeted EU sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Azerbaijani officials responsible for abuses.
  11. Reiterates that EU-Azerbaijan agreements, including on energy, must be conditional on rights and release of prisoners; calls on Commission to suspend the 2022 energy memorandum.

Who is affected

  • Azerbaijani officials, including prosecutors, judges, and security-service officials, face potential EU sanctions.
  • EU-Azerbaijan partnership, including energy cooperation, is affected by conditionality demands.

Figures and deadlines

  • 15 years' imprisonment for Bahruz Samadov
  • 18-year sentence for Igbal Abilov

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.