Mr. Igbal Abilov, lecturer at the Belarusian State University in ethnic studies, was recently arrested in Azerbaijan. The Committee is concerned that Abilov’s arrest may be due to his studies into ethnic minorities present in Azerbaijan, in collaboration with academics in Armenia, ahead of COP29 in Baku. He should be released and allowed to return to Belarus, as well as review documents relating to the case with a lawyer and take a normal legal channel.
Turan: The Persecution of Iqbal Abilov Undermines Academic Freedom continue reading…..
Scholars at Risk: On July 22, 2024, Azerbaijan’s State Security Service, the national intelligence office, arrested Igbal Abilov continue reading……
January 6, 2025
Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Istiglaliyyat Street 19
1066 Baku
Republic of Azerbaijan
E-mail: office@pa.gov.az
X: presidentaz
Dear President Aliyev:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We are writing in regard to the case of Mr. Igbal (Iqbal) Abilov. He is a well-regarded lecturer in history and ethnography, specializing in local ethnic groups, at the Belarusian State University and a member of the apolitical Talysh National Academy, a group that studies the Talysh indigenous group, of which Abilov is a member. He is the editor of their publication, “The Herald Of The National Academy of Talysh”.
He was first detained and questioned on June 22, 2024 by Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS) in Azerbaijan, where he was visiting for a wedding. On June 27, 2024, the SSS seized his passport and phone when he tried to fly back to Belarus. On July 27, 2024, they arrested him, and he was subsequently placed for four months in pretrial detention on several charges related to supposed treason, crimes against the state, and “incitement of ethnic hatred”. On July 31, 2024, his appeal to be released was denied, and he has not been allowed since to contact his family or to see documents relating to the case. In August 2024, further appeals to lift these bans and to move him to home detention were denied.
The Committee is concerned that Abilov’s arrest may be due to his studies into ethnic minorities present in Azerbaijan, in collaboration with academics in Armenia, ahead of the November 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku.
The Committee is also concerned about the conditions in which Abilov is being detained. He should be released and allowed to return to Belarus, as well as review documents relating to the case with a lawyer and take a normal legal channel. Abilov’s research does not present a threat to the state, and imprisoning him does not put Azerbaijan in a positive light. In fact, it harms academic freedom and democratic principles that Azerbaijan should be trying to promote.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We will be closely following developments in this case.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
CC:
Antony J. Blinken
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
USA
Phone: (202) 647-4000
X: @ABlinken
Khazar Ibrahim
Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United States
Azerbaijani Embassy in the United States
2741 34th St NW,
Washington, DC 20008
USA
Phone: (202) 337-3500
Email: azerbaijan@azembassy.us
X: hazar_khazar
Jeyhun Bayramov
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan
Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4 Shikhali Gurbanov Str.,
Baku, Azerbaijan 1009.
Phone: (202) 337-3500
Email: azerbaijan@azembassy.us
X: @bayramov_jeyhun