Biden Administration, Lawmakers Reiterate Call For Gubad Ibadoghlu's Release

The top Biden administration official in charge of Europe and Eurasia, and at least three Congressional members of the Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday publicly reiterated calls on renowned economist Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu's immediate release, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

"We maintain constant vigilance on this and insist on his fair treatment. We would like to see him released," Ambassador James O'Brien, Assistant Secretary of State, said of Dr. Ibadoghlu during a hearing before the Congressional Committee on Foreign Affairs on the future of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Congressman Bill Keating, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Europe Subcommittee, made the case that U.S. and Europe lead peace negotiation was vital "to ensure the values we espouse as democracies are represented."

At the same time, he said, with transatlantic alliances united in support of Ukraine, there's no better opportunity for the people of the region to reap the economic benefits of a peace deal than there is today.

"... This also includes Azerbaijani citizens, such as Dr. Gubad Ibadoglu, a renowned economist and academic who remains in Azerbaijan prison cells," he emphasized.

Keating went on to add,  "Dr. Ibadoglu's rights must be respected, and I will continue to call to ensure he receives a fair trial of food and medicine. We sit here today at an inflection point in this decades-long conflict, and I strongly believe a comprehensive diplomatic peace agreement will benefit the people of the region and the region as a whole."

Another Democrat Congressman, Jim Costa, in his speech brought up a bipartisan letter that was sent to the State Department to draw attention to the case of Dr. Ibadoghlu, who as he put it, is "being held captive" in Azerbaijan.

"I think we need to stay on top of that and obviously request his release. It's the humanitarian thing to do," he said.

Congressman Brad Schneider, also Democrat, highlighted  Dr.Ibadoghlu's case and recognized his son Emin, who was in the hearing room during the panel.

Addressing lawmakers, State Department's O'Brien made it clear that the U.S. has urged for Dr. Ibadoghlu's release.

"We'll continue to urge that," he said, adding "And I think we'll do the same on any other human rights issue that comes across in our relationship with Azerbaijan. We do that in a way that's consistent with our values."

O'Brien went on to conclude, "And what we are looking for now is a peace agreement that reflects the interests of the people of Armenia, and we believe those of Azerbaijan, in developing stronger relationships with the vibrant economies to their west, rather than with the autocracies to their north and south."

Ibadoghlu, a respected economist who has advocated for democratic principles and socio-economic progress within Azerbaijan, was detained outside Baku on July 23 on charge of counterfeiting after police claimed they found forged bills worth $40,000 in his abandoned apartment, an accusation that he categorically disputes.

His health is severely deteriorating during his detention, according to his family.