The pre-trial detention period of Gubad Ibadoghlu, an economist and the chairman of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Welfare Party, has been extended for an additional three months. Ibadoghlu, who was detained in July 2023, has now spent over three months in prison. This decision was made by the Narimanov District Court of Azerbaijan.
Adding to the concern, Gubad Ibadoghlu has been without a medical examination for approximately 20 days, as reported by his brother Galib Toghrul. On his Facebook account, Galib Toghrul mentioned that Gubad Ibadoghlu’s back and hip pains have intensified.
“Because of the leg pain, he is unable to sleep. Throughout the day, he experiences chronic fatigue, and his mobility progressively diminishes,” Galib Toghrul stated in a Facebook post.
Despite requesting a neurologist and endocrinologist examination from the Medical Sanitary Department of the Baku Pretrial Detention Center, the request has not been accepted yet.
Gubad Ibadoghlu was initially detained on July 23 by the officers of the Main Organized Crime Department, along with his wife. Although his wife was released after a while, the professor faced an accusation related to the organized production, acquisition, or sale of counterfeit money or securities under Article 204.3.1 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.
Following a police search of his house on August 25, a new charge was levied against Gubad Ibadoghlu under Article 167-3.1 of the Criminal Code, involving the preparation, storage, or distribution of religious extremist materials. He is accused of counterfeiting and alleged affiliation with the exiled Turkish cleric Fetullah Gulen.
In response to his arrest, Gubad Ibadoghlu made a one-sentence statement: “I was detained on the order of Ilham Aliyev.”
The professor, a Senior Visiting Fellow in the Department of International Relations at the London School of Economics, was living in the U.K. before his return to Azerbaijan in early July due to his mother’s health issues.
