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

B100589/2025

European Parliament resolution on the arbitrary arrest and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov

(2025/3028(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan,

– having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas since the beginning of 2025, the number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan has surged to almost 400 individuals, arbitrarily detained on politically motivated charges, among them civil society activists, opposition leaders, journalists, and most recently academics and those in exile;

whereas Bahruz Samadov, a PhD candidate at Charles University in Prague, and Igbal Abilov, editor-in-chief of the “Talysh National Academy News” outlet and ethnic studies researcher, were detained and sentenced to 15 and 18 years of imprisonment respectively on fabricated charges, including High Treason;

whereas the main evidence against Mr. Abilov reportedly consisted of exchanges with an academic from Armenia, which his colleagues maintain was part of a legitimate scholarly collaboration focused on ethnographic studies; whereas in the case against Mr. Samadov no credible evidence was publicly presented;

whereas the trials of both academics were held behind closed doors, excluding independent observers, which severely violates the fundamental rights to due process, fair trial and the presumption of innocence, and the sentences received are strikingly severe;

whereas UN Human Rights experts have issued an urgent call for the immediate release of the researchers, expressing serious concerns that the proceedings failed to meet international standards for a fair trial;

whereas these two cases follow the earlier imprisonments of two other academics, Gubad Ibadoghlu and Fazil Gasimov, both sentenced in 2023 on fabricated counterfeit currency charges;

whereas on December 1, prominent opposition leader Ali Karimli was arrested on alleged coup charges as part of the ongoing consolidation of authoritarian practices in Azerbaijan;

Calls on the Government of Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Samadov and Mr. Abilov and lift all the criminal charges against them;

Condemns in the strongest possible terms the arrest of Ali Karimli and calls for his immediate release;

Condemns the lack of due process and the violations of the right to a fair trial observed throughout the abovementioned judicial proceedings, orchestrated to supress criticism and discourage engagement in politically sensitive topics;

Calls upon the Azerbaijani authorities to end the broader reprisals against peaceful critics, journalists, activists, opposition leaders, and academics, including those in exile, and to release all political prisoners;

Calls for the consideration of appropriate measures within the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime regarding relevant officials, ensuring that diplomatic engagement remains consistent with the EU’s core values;

Stresses that progress on any future partnership agreement should be closely aligned with tangible advancements on the rule of law and human rights, including the release of political detainees;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, Member States and the President, Government and Parliament of Azerbaijan.