Academic Under Fire: Azerbaijani Researcher’s Hunger Strike Sheds Light on Political Repression

“I have faced repressions for launching the AYEF project (an Education Fund registered by the UK Charity Commission), which provided over a thousand Azerbaijani youths with the opportunity to study abroad, for conducting research on the Azerbaijani economy with economist Qubad Ibadoglu, and for protesting the repressions against the charitable Azerbaijani businessman Mubariz Mansimov. Now, I am at risk of becoming a victim of political repression.”

This is stated in an appeal by Fazil Qasimov, a doctoral student at Istanbul University, who has been on hunger strike for 29 days in the Baku Investigation Detention Center No. 1. His family presented the appeal to the Voice of America on July 12.

“I have been on hunger strike for 29 days to protest the slander and gross human rights violations I have faced. My health is in critical condition. Due to a previous stomach surgery, the effects of the hunger strike on my health are even more severe. The repressions against intellectual compatriots in Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1930s, as well as the political orders that led to the execution of our compatriots who sought refuge in Turkey by Soviet soldiers, still cause us pain. I call on conscientious people worldwide, including conscientious world Azerbaijanis, to support me in being released from prison. A scientist fighting for justice, sustainable development, democratic reforms, and equal opportunities in education, who has been unlawfully deported from Turkey, subjected to slander, torture, insults, and poisoning with psychotropic substances, and intentionally harmed, will soon lose his life in prison as a result of this hunger strike. Once again, I ask the President of Turkey to help return me to Turkey without experiencing the fate of Alexei Navalny in an Azerbaijani prison, so I can safely continue my scientific research at Istanbul University,” he stated in his appeal.

Qasimov also reported being subjected to torture and inhumane treatment after his arrest. He believes the reason for the torture is the research he conducted.

“We, together with economist Qubad Ibadoglu, have been conducting research since the fall of 2021 on two important indicators of economic activity in Azerbaijan—companies and investors playing a significant role in the formation of GDP and GNP. We are both economists and Azerbaijani citizens, so our research on the Azerbaijani economy should not be surprising. However, due to the widespread corruption in Azerbaijan, our research on the Azerbaijani economy has caused concern among corrupt officials. We have been worried about Azerbaijan ranking 150th in the Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International and its deteriorating position year by year. Therefore, we have tried to contribute to increasing efficiency and transparency in the management of the state budget and state companies. Additionally, we have investigated the business activities of Azerbaijani investors both domestically and abroad to determine their role in the formation of Azerbaijan's GNP. We have also studied the development history of Azerbaijan's oil and gas and non-ferrous metal industries, as well as the offshore business of Azerbaijani investors. This research serves public interests,” he noted.

Qasimov believes that their research on the oil and gas sector led to fundamental reforms in the management of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) in 2022, with highly educated, experienced, and non-corrupt individuals being appointed to the board.

“There is a lot of information in both local and foreign media about the corrupt activities of SOCAR's former leadership. We have investigated the accuracy of this information, and it has been confirmed. The investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, who provided us with minor assistance in this investigation, has also been charged with false accusations. We have identified 50 subsidiary companies where corruption crimes were committed within SOCAR. The amount of state funds embezzled through these 50 companies exceeds one billion dollars. This is a corruption crime with no parallel in the world,” he stated.

He mentioned that in developed countries, individuals who help uncover such large economic crimes are rewarded, while in Azerbaijan, they are charged with false accusations.

“Both the Azerbaijani constitution and the international conventions to which Azerbaijan is a party, including the UN Convention Against Torture and the European Convention on Human Rights, prohibit ill-treatment of citizens,” he noted.

According to Fazil Qasimov, there is no other country in the world that has charged a teacher from the London School of Economics and a graduate of the UN GSP (Graduate Studies Program) with false accusations.

“The unjust decisions made against us are a challenge to the Azerbaijani people, the world community, international law, and universal values.”

He states that international support is needed to achieve the cessation of political repressions in Azerbaijan. Meanwhile, Qasimov is seeking help from numerous international media organizations, UN leaders, international human rights organizations, and several heads of state.

Fazil Qasimov also states in his appeal that the reason for the torture he faced was his support for the release of businessman Mubariz Mansimov (founder of the Palmali Group of Companies) living in Turkey, through his research in 2021. In this regard, he provides a detailed chronology of various groups' and individuals' attitudes towards Mubariz Mansimov and the court proceedings against him.

In turn, Azerbaijani law enforcement agencies have not yet responded to the Voice of America’s inquiry about Fazil Qasimov's appeal. The Press Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs usually denies the accusations of torture and calls them "lies invented by the individuals to defend themselves."

Fazil Qasimov graduated from Qafqaz University (which ceased operations on January 16, 2017), later studied in Turkey, and completed his doctorate at Istanbul University.

The economist, who was living in Turkey, was arrested in Istanbul on August 8, 2023, and brought to Azerbaijan. Fazil Qasimov was detained as part of the investigation into the criminal case against Qubad Ibadoglu and is charged under Article 204.3.1 of the Criminal Code (manufacture or acquisition of counterfeit money or securities for the purpose of sale, or sale of counterfeit money or securities—when committed by an organized group).

Fazil Qasimov also made a public appeal on June 25 to protest his arrest.

“Despite my critical health condition, I have no other choice but to go on a hunger strike to protest my illegal arrest and the gross human rights violations against me. Either I will die soon from the hunger strike in an Azerbaijani prison, or with your support, I will be released and continue my scientific activities at Istanbul University,” he stated.

He mentioned that his contact with Qubad Ibadoglu started virtually in March 2020.

“23 days after the Education Fund (AYEF) was registered by the UK Charity Commission, Qubad Ibadoglu was arrested, and 39 days later, I was arrested,” he added.

Qubad Ibadoglu, who was charged under Article 204.3.1 (manufacture or acquisition of counterfeit money or securities for the purpose of sale, or sale of counterfeit money or securities—when committed by an organized group) and Article 167-3.1 (preparation, storage, and dissemination of religious extremist materials) of the Criminal Code, was arrested in July last year and remained in custody until April 22 this year.

After numerous local and international appeals, Ibadoglu's detention was replaced with house arrest on April 22. On May 21, the house arrest was replaced with police supervision, and the investigation period was extended for another 3 months (until August 20).

Ibadoglu asserts that the charges against him are baseless and politically motivated, and that he is being punished for his activities.