On February 15, the pre-trial detention of economist Gubad Ibadoghlu was extended by a further three months by the Khatai District Court in Baku, according to his lawyer. The chairman of the Azerbaijan Party for Democracy and Welfare (APDW), Gubad Ibadoghlu, has almost been in pre-trial detention in Baku for seven months.
His lawyer Zibeyda Sadigova considers the court decision to be unfounded and intends to appeal against it.
What happened earlier?
Gubad Ibadoghlu was initially arrested on 23 July by officers of the Main Organized Crime Department together with his wife. Although his wife was released after some time, the professor was charged with the organized production, acquisition or sale of counterfeit money or securities under Article 204.3.1 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code.
Following a police search of his home on August 25, a new charge was brought against Gubad Ibadoghlu under Article 167-3.1 of the Criminal Code, which includes the preparation, storage or distribution of religious extremist material. He is accused of forgery and an alleged connection to the exiled Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen.
In response to his arrest, Gubad Ibadoghlu issued a one-sentence statement: “I was arrested on the orders of Ilham Aliyev.”
The professor, a Senior Visiting Fellow in the Department of International Relations at the London School of Economics, lived in the UK before returning to Azerbaijan in early July due to his mother’s health problems.
According to human rights activists, the real reason for his arrest is the exposure of corruption in the highest ranks of the Azerbaijani government.
Lack of inpatient examination and treatment
The economist’s brother, Galib Bayramov, had previously reported that Gubad Ibadoghlu’s state of health had not improved.
We are very concerned about the high level of sugar in his blood. It can lead to a malfunction of the internal organs. He already received his third infusion of medication via a drip. This was because the nerve endings in his limbs are damaged
said Bayramov.
According to Ibadoghlu’s daughter Zhala Bayramova, his heart arteries are clogged, and even though he is still not allowed to be taken to hospital.
Twenty-one members of the US House of Representatives signed a resolution calling for Azerbaijani opposition leader Gubad Ibadoghlu to be released.
