On arbitrary arrest and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan.

on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Adam Bielan, Geadis Geadi, Alexandr Vondra, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Marlena Maląg, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Assita Kanko, Emmanouil Fragkos

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✦ In short Full text

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

This resolution addresses the arrest and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan, calling for their release and for reforms to protect academic freedom and human rights.¶¶

Key points

Calls on Azerbaijan to immediately review the criminal proceedings against Igbal Abilov and Bahruz Samadov and release them without delay.¶
Calls on Azerbaijan to refrain from treating academic research, peaceful criticism, and advocacy for peace as threats to national security, and to ensure scholars work free from intimidation.¶
Underlines the importance of Azerbaijan aligning its legislation with international human-rights standards to ensure academic freedom, cultural rights, and freedom of expression.¶
Encourages Azerbaijan to align its practices with its constitution and international commitments by safeguarding fundamental freedoms and ensuring criminal proceedings are not directed at government critics or civil society.¶
Calls on the EU Delegation in Baku to monitor the cases and invites the EU to support efforts to promote human rights and democratic governance in Azerbaijan.¶

Who is affected

Azerbaijan's government and judiciary, which are called to release the academics and reform practices.¶¶
Academics and civil society in Azerbaijan, who would benefit from protections against criminalization of their work.¶¶
The EU Delegation in Baku, which is asked to monitor the cases.¶

Figures and deadlines

15 years in prison for Bahruz Samadov.¶

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.