The European Parliament called for sanctions against officials who arrested Gubad Ibadoglu

Baku/14.09.23/Turan: On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on  in  the case of opposition leader and economist scientist Gubad Ibadoglu, who was arrested in Azerbaijan.

The document condemns the criminal prosecution of Ibadoglu on trumped-up and politically motivated charges and calls for sanctions against Azerbaijani officials who have grossly violated human rights under the Global Act of the EU sanctions Regime. The resolution was supported by 539 deputies out of 569 present, 24 abstained, 6 voted against the document.

*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.

Emin Huseynov, Director of the Institute for Freedom and Security of Reporters, who watched the debate in the European Parliament, commenting on the resolution of the European Parliament, noted that for the first time this body directly called on the EU to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Azerbaijani officials who grossly violate human rights.

In addition, the human rights activist pointed out that the resolution notes the presence of over 200 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, personally pointing out Gubad Ibadoglu. At the same time, the European Parliament stresses that the EU should not sign a new comprehensive partnership agreement with Azerbaijan until all political prisoners are released. ---16b06---