2025 Case Report
(as of December 2025)
January 2025
Igbal Abilov, Azerbaijan
Igbal Abilov, a Belarusian State University lecturer in ethnic studies, was arrested in Azerbaijan, raising concerns that the detention is linked to his research on ethnic minorities conducted with Armenian academics ahead of COP29 in Baku. The Committee calls for his release, return to Belarus, and access to legal counsel and due process.
Carlos Correa, Venezuela
Carlos Correa, a professor and human rights researcher at Andrés Bello Catholic University and Executive Director of Espacio Público, was abducted on January 7th by alleged state officials and initially went missing but has since been released.
February 2025
Elizabeth Tsurkov, Iraq
Elizabeth Tsurkov, a doctoral student conducting research for Princeton University, has been missing in Iraq since 2023 after being abducted in Baghdad by the Kata’ib Hezbollah. The Committee urges the Iraqi government to locate her and secure her release to the United States.
Salma al-Shehab, Saudi Arabia
Leeds University PhD student Salma al-Shehab was sentenced to 34 years in prison in 2021 for retweeting posts but has since been released and reunited with her family.
Bambang Hero Saharjo, Indonesia
Bambang Hero Saharjo is facing lawsuits and harassment for testifying about the environmental damage caused by illegal tin mining in Indonesia.
Araz Aliyev, Azerbaijan
Araz Aliyev, a former professor at Baku State University, was abducted, tortured, and repeatedly imprisoned in 2023-2024, while being denied access to legal counsel and his family. In September 2024, he was dismissed from BSU, reportedly due to his political activity, and the dismissal remains in effect.
Hada, China
Hada, an ethnic Mongolian dissident and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, was hospitalized due to serious health concerns after years of inhumane treatment following his 1995 arrest for advocating for Mongolian herders. CCS strongly urges his release from detention and reunification with his family.
Mahmoud Khalil, United States
Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and U.S. permanent resident, was arrested in New York City and transferred to an ICE detention center in Louisiana. His prosecution appears to be based solely on his immigrant status, constituting unequal treatment and a violation of his human rights.
March 2025
Badar Khan Suri, United States
Georgetown postdoctoral researcher Badar Khan Suri, a J-1 visa holder married to a U.S. citizen, was arrested at his home on March 17 and transferred to an ICE detention center in Louisiana. With no charges filed, he remains detained, leading the Committee to call for his immediate release on human rights grounds.
April 2024
Kseniia Petrova, United States
Harvard Medical School researcher Kseniia Petrova, a J-1 visa holder, was arrested by CBP and transferred to an ICE detention center in Louisiana over an undeclared airport item that her lawyer says would at most warrant a $500 fine. Despite this, she remains detained, leading the Committee to call for her release and for any further proceedings to ensure full legal rights and protections.
Chernoh Alpha M. Bah, Sierra Leone
Dr. Chernoh Alpha M. Bah, a Postdoctoral Associate at Brown University, is unable to return to West Africa to continue his research due to fears of retribution by the Sierra Leone government and its allies. The government is reportedly targeting his Africanist Press for exposing alleged corruption, prompting the Committee to ask Secretary Rubio to intervene.
Xiaofeng Wang and Nianli Ma, United States
Two professors at Indiana University were terminated without due process, and their homes were raided; although a sealed warrant existed, CCS understands that the terminations did not follow university policies. Emphasizing that due process is fundamental to academic freedom, CCS urges that the terminations be revoked until proper and transparent procedures are followed.
May 2025
Ahmadreza Djalali, Iran
The family of Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali spoke about his life as a devoted father and husband. The Committee has been actively working on his case for an extended period.
Chernoh Alpha M. Bah, Sierra Leone
A Postdoctoral Associate at Brown University, Dr. Chernoh Alpha M. Bah remains unable to travel to West Africa due to fears of retribution. Citing Sierra Leone’s obligations to uphold human rights and fight corruption, the Committee urges the government to guarantee Dr. Bah’s safe return, protect him from threats, and allow him to continue his scholarly and publishing work without fear.
Paul Chambers, Thailand
Paul Chambers, a political science lecturer at Naresuan University in Thailand, faced lèse-majesté charges and removal from his position over an online seminar blurb, but the Office of the Attorney General dropped the charges due to lack of evidence. Following this decision and the rejection of a police petition for review, Chambers has left Thailand.
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June 2025
Esila Ayık, Arda Öğüşlü, and Mehmet Efe Erdoğan, Turkey
University students Esila Ayık, Arda Öğüşlü, and Mehmet Efe Erdoğan were arrested in Türkiye in April 2025 for allegedly holding protest signs at a youth concert in İstanbul, facing charges of insulting the presidency with potential prison sentences of up to five years. They were released pending trial on May 15, 2025, but the Committee is concerned these prosecutions may be aimed at silencing mass protests.
Ahmadreza Djalali, Iran
The Committee supports Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali’s case by sharing a letter from his wife, Vida Mehrannia, addressed to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The letter highlights concerns for Dr. Djalali’s situation and urges intervention on his behalf.
July 2025
Lu Siwei, China
Chinese human rights lawyer Lu Siwei, arrested in Laos in 2023 while traveling to join his family in the U.S., was sentenced in a closed trial in southwestern China to 11 months in prison and fined 10,000 yuan for “illegally crossing the border.” Despite holding a U.S. visa and Chinese passport, Lu was forcibly repatriated from Laos and plans to appeal the sentence.
Bahruz Samadov, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani PhD student Bahruz Samadov was sentenced to 15 years in prison for alleged treason following a closed-door trial in Baku, despite a lack of evidence and his academic work on Azerbaijan-Armenia relations and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Committee is concerned about his treatment in detention, including a hunger strike and suicide attempt, and calls for his immediate release to be reunited with his grandmother.
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, India
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, associate professor and head of the Political Science Department at Ashoka University, was arrested in Delhi for expressing concerns on social media about mob lynching and rhetoric inciting violence against Muslims, while supporting India’s right to self-defense. The Committee considers the charges unjust and urges their dismissal, along with adequate security for Professor Mahmudabad.
September 2025
Ehsan Faridi, Iran
The Committee supports an urgent appeal to prevent the imminent execution of student Ehsan Faridi. The appeal calls for immediate intervention to protect his life and safeguard his rights.
Elizabeth Tsurkov, Iraq
The Committee supports the case of Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Russian-Israeli Princeton graduate student who was kidnapped in 2023 by the militant group Kataib Hezbollah. Her safe release, confirmed by Israel and Iraq, marks the successful resolution of her prolonged detention.
Feng Siyu, China
Feng Siyu, a former prominent academic in China, was arrested in 2018, possibly for her research on Uyghur culture, and her current whereabouts remain unknown, reflecting a troubling pattern of disappearances among scholars related to Xinjiang. The Committee urges the Chinese government to disclose her location and health, ensure her access to medical care, and consider her release, emphasizing that she poses no threat to China.
Ahmadreza Djalali, Iran
The Committee continues to support the case of jailed VUB professor Ahmadreza Djalali, who has been confirmed back in Evin Prison in Tehran after more than three months of uncertainty. His wife, Vida Mehrannia, shared the update on social media and reiterated her urgent call for his immediate release.
October 2025
Ales Bialiatski, Belarus
Nobel Laureate Dr. Ales Bialiatski was sentenced to ten years in prison in 2023 on politically motivated charges and is reportedly being held in inhumane conditions. The Committee calls for his release or, at minimum, transparency regarding his health and access to proper medical care and legal support.
November 2025
Michael Ben-Gad, United Kingdom
Professor Michael Ben-Gad of City St George’s, University of London was recently threatened by masked students accusing him of war crimes during his military service in Israel. The Committee is concerned that the university is not adequately protecting professors from such violent incidents.
Igbal Abilov, Azerbaijan
The Committee supports the case of researcher Igbal Abilov, who from his prison cell in Azerbaijan exposes the silencing and state neglect of the Talysh language in public life. His letter underscores that defending one’s native language and identity has become a courageous act of resistance.
Leonid Pshenichnov, Russia
Dr. Pshenichnov, who was preparing to attend an international meeting on Antarctic marine conservation, faces treason charges likely aimed at punishing his research advocating stronger protections against harmful krill-fishing practices. The Committee urges the withdrawal of these charges and calls for humane treatment and prompt medical care, emphasizing that environmental advocacy should never be deemed treason.
Richard Falk, Canada
Emeritus Professor Richard Falk and his wife, Professor Hilal Elver, were detained and interrogated for four hours by Canada Border Services at Toronto Pearson Airport on November 13, 2025, without any stated reason. The Committee condemns this violation of Professor Falk’s right to attend a peaceful meeting, despite not endorsing the views of the organizing group.
December 2025
Ales Bialiatski, Belarus
Belarus has released Ales Bialiatski, ending his imprisonment. This marks a significant development in the case supported by the Committee.
Alexandr Butyagin, Poland
Russian archaeologist Alexandr Butyagin, was detained by Polish authorities while traveling in Europe for lectures, with Ukraine seeking his extradition over alleged unauthorized excavations in Crimea. The Committee urges his release, emphasizing that scientific work should transcend national conflicts and that extradition amid the ongoing war could jeopardize a fair trial.