Action in defense of Igbal Abilov in Vilnius

On Tuesday, August 6, a picket was held in front of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Lithuania in Vilnius in support of the Talysh researcher Igbal Abilov, who was arrested in Baku. The action was organized by Abilov's friends and colleagues, on the website created in Abilov's defense https://igbal.info / noted. During the picket, the collection of signatures under the petition continued, as well as calls for Abilov's release. The participants of the action held up posters with slogans in English: "Freedom to Igbal Abilov!", "Science is not a crime!" and others.

Igbal Abilov was detained on July 22, when he arrived in Azerbaijan to visit relatives.  He was charged under Articles 274 (high treason), 281.3 (public appeals directed against the state, committed on behalf of foreign organizations or their representatives) and 283.1 (incitement of national, racial, social or religious hatred and enmity) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

In particular, it is alleged that all these crimes were committed on the instructions of the Armenian secret services. Abilov denies the accusations and claims that he was engaged exclusively in scientific activities.

A large group of scientists from around the world appealed to the leadership of Azerbaijan with a request for assistance in the release of Abilov.