Congressman Chris Smith calls on Azerbaijani authorities to release Gubad Ibadoglu

Baku/08.08.23/Turan: Chairman of the US Congress Subcommittee on Human Rights and Co-Chairman of the Commission on Global Human Rights Christopher Smith has called on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to release renowned scientist-economist Gubad Ibadoglu. This is stated in a press release published on the official website of the congressman.

Professor Ibadoglu is known as a fierce critic of Azerbaijan's current government and has worked to increase transparency and hold the country's leaders accountable, Smith notes.

The congressman points out that Ibadoglu is "imprisoned under life-threatening circumstances" due to an acute form of diabetes mellitus, thyroid goitre and high blood pressure." At the same time, he is being held in the same cell with "dangerous criminals."

Ibadoglu has lost a significant amount of weight since his arrest, indicating that his health is rapidly deteriorating and he needs immediate medical attention, the congressman said.

"If he dies in the course of his imprisonment or his health is irreparably damaged, President Aliyev will be held fully responsible," Smith notes.

It should be recalled that Ibadoglu has investigated corruption in Azerbaijan. His release has been called for by many representatives of international civil society and the Washington Post.

An advocate for basic human rights around the world, Christopher Smith has repeatedly spoken out in defence of Azerbaijani citizens persecuted by the government for exposing government corruption, including blogger Mehman Huseynov.

In December 2015, Smith chaired a congressional hearing on the persecution of Radio Liberty columnist Khadija Ismayilova.

That same year, Smith introduced the Azerbaijan Democracy Bill to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights in the country. He has visited Azerbaijan several times on human rights missions, the press release said. -16D-