European Parliament to discuss Gubad Ibadoglu's case

Baku/09.09.23/Turan: The case of Azerbaijani oppositionist and academic economist Gubad Ibadoglu is included in the agenda of the urgent debate of the European Parliament on the topic of human rights. The discussions will take place on September 13, and a vote on the proposed decision will be held the next day, the website of the European Parliament reports.

According to Emin Huseynov, director of the Institute for Freedom and Security of Reporters, who will be present at the discussions, during the debate the deputies will express their opinion on the Ibadoglu' case and ask questions to one of the European Commissioners regarding the measures taken to ensure the rights of the politician.

As Huseynov told Turan, the debate may end with adoption of a resolution on the Ibadoglu case if the document receives a majority of votes.

The resolution will presumably call for Ibadoglu's release and put forward recommendations to the European Commission to conduct an active dialogue with Baku and stop the criminal prosecution of the politician and scientist.

"In any case, the hearings in the European Parliament will increase international attention to the Ibadoglu case," the human rights activist said.

*On July 24, the Narimanov District Court of Baku arrested Gubad Ibadoglu for 3 months and 26 days on charges of making counterfeit money. The Azerbaijani Interior Ministry said that Ibadoglu is associated with supporters of Fethullah Gulen, accused of an attempted coup in 2016 in Turkey. On August 25, he was charged with another charge of "manufacturing, storing or distributing religious extremist materials."

Gubad Ibadoglu denies the accusations, considering them absurd. Many international organizations and officials have called on official Baku to immediately release the politician. -06B-