New Jersey congressmen and senator call for release of Gubad Ibadoglu

Baku/06.11.23/Turan: Nine congressmen and one senator from New Jersey have appealed to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in connection with the arrest of oppositionist and academic economist Gubad Ibadoglu in Azerbaijan.

Galib Bayramov, the brother of the oppositionist, told Turan that the appeal calls "to use all diplomatic channels and interaction with international partners for the immediate and unconditional release of former Rutgers University professor Gubad Ibadoglu," Bayramov said.

The lawmakers requested a report from the State Department on the work being done to free Ibadoglu.

Bayramov said Ibadoglu's health continues to deteriorate, his illnesses are progressing and he is not receiving effective medical care.

It was not possible to get comments from the Penitentiary Service.

*On 24 July, 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 Ibadoglu is linked to supporters of Fethullah Gulen, accused of a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey.

On 25 August, he was charged with another offence - "production, storage or distribution of religious extremist materials".

Gubad Ibadoglu rejects the charges, considering them absurd. Many international organisations and officials have called on official Baku to immediately release the politician. The European Parliament has called for sanctions against Azerbaijani officials because of Ibadoglu's persecution. -16B06-