June 16th 2024.
Last year in July, Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, a well-respected international scholar, was taken into custody by plainclothes officers in Azerbaijan. His son, Ibad Bayramov, is now pleading for a meeting with Lord David Cameron in hopes of securing his father's release from imprisonment.
Dr. Ibadoghlu has an impressive academic background, having worked at prestigious institutions such as LSE, Duke University, and UNC Chapel Hill. However, his outspoken criticism of Azerbaijan's increasingly authoritarian government ultimately led to his arrest. He was charged with "acquisition or sale of counterfeit money by an organized group" and "possessing extremist material", which could result in a 12-year prison sentence if convicted.
This arrest is part of a troubling pattern in Azerbaijan, a country that will be hosting COP29 in its capital city of Baku. Human rights groups have cited Dr. Ibadoghlu's criticism of the government as a reason for his harsh treatment. His son, Ibad Bayramov, has shared the details of his father's detainment with The Agency.
Dr. Ibadoghlu has a history of heart issues, and his son is concerned about his well-being while in prison. In 2014, Dr. Ibadoghlu fled Azerbaijan, even though his mother was ill, after a law similar to the Foreign Agent Law in Georgia was passed. He spent years abroad before being told it was safe to return last summer. However, instead of being able to see his ailing mother and meet with young democracy activists as planned, he was met with a violent arrest and denied vital medication for his diabetes and heart issues.
Ibad Bayramov, who is fighting for his father's release, explained, "He's going to live the rest of his life with the possibility of getting a heart attack. There has been a lot of support from his academic connections." On the 250th day of his imprisonment, professors from UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University sent a joint letter, and professors from LSE, Oxford University, and other UK universities sent a separate letter to Lord Cameron, urging him to take action to free Dr. Ibadoghlu.
Unfortunately, Lord Cameron has yet to meet with Ibad Bayramov, and Azerbaijani officials in the UK have not responded to requests for comment. While Dr. Ibadoghlu has since been moved to house arrest, he is still unable to undergo important medical tests such as MRIs due to his ankle monitor.
According to Ibad Bayramov, the UK may be hesitant to confront Azerbaijani officials due to Europe's reliance on energy from the country as it transitions away from Russian oil. In March, it was revealed that BP will fully finance a solar project in Azerbaijan, which could explain the British government's hesitation in addressing Dr. Ibadoghlu's imprisonment. Ibad Bayramov has not been able to speak to Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron about his father's imprisonment since he took office.
Bill Browder, who has campaigned for the release of other political prisoners like Dr. Ibadoghlu, shared his thoughts on the situation, "The persecution and torture of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu by the Aliev regime is one of the most shocking human rights abuse cases I've seen in recent times. The denial of medical care to a very sick man is particularly egregious. I hope the Azerbaijani regime knows the eyes of the world are on them in this case."
President Ilham Aliyev has been in power in Azerbaijan since 2003, but the situation for those who speak out against the government has only worsened. Ibad Bayramov explained, "Azerbaijan is following in the footsteps of countries like Belarus, and in the past year and two months, the number of political prisoners has more than tripled." Among those wrongly imprisoned are journalists, human rights defenders, activists, and peaceful protesters.
Ibad Bayramov previously made a plea to see his father alive before he was released on house arrest. He stated, "He is a human rights activist who has been promoting the values that governments like the UK have been trying to protect at all costs. So to turn a blind eye just because of economic ties, it's turning a blind eye on your own cherished values." The Embassy for Azerbaijan in London has not responded to inquiries about Dr. Ibadoghlu's case.
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