Latest Developments Surrounding Gubad Ibadoglu Raise Concerns Over Detention Conditions and Health

Bakı/09.08.23/Turan: Recent developments surrounding Gubad Ibadoglu, the Chairman of the ADR party, have ignited a growing chorus of concerns over his detention conditions and health status. Mr. Ibadoglu was apprehended on July 23 and subsequently, on the following day, the Narimanov district Court issued a decree sanctioning his detention for a preliminary investigation period lasting 3 months and 26 days. The charges levied against him stem from Article 204.3.1 of the Criminal Code, specifically relating to the alleged involvement in the manufacture and sale of counterfeit money, government securities, foreign currency, or securities in foreign currency within an organized group.

As the case unfolds, it has come to light that Gubad Ibadoglu is accused of collaborating with four other individuals. These names were initially disclosed by Turkish media on July 23, with the group purportedly tied to FETÖ, the organization linked to Fethullah Gulen. The co-accused, identified as Doirush Jafarov, Gumrah Abdurakhmanov, Ruslan Aliyev, and Anar Aliyev, face similar charges as Mr. Ibadoglu. Anar Aliyev's alleged mention of Mr. Ibadoglu during his testimony contributed to the case's trajectory, even though Mr. Ibadoglu denies any acquaintance with him.

In an attempt to address the widening implications of the case, Azerbaijani scientist Fazil Gasimov has been detained in Turkey and subsequently extradited to Azerbaijan. He is being held in connection with the ongoing investigation involving Gubad Ibadoglu. A preventative measure of 3 months and 12 days has been implemented for Mr. Gasimov.

As the intricacies of the legal proceedings continue to evolve, Gubad Ibadoglu's brother, Ghalib Togrul, provided insights into the latest events during an interview on the program "Difficult Question." Ghalib Togrul underscored a pressing concern surrounding Mr. Ibadoglu's health and the conditions of his detention. Suffering from multiple health issues including aortic aneurysm, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, Mr. Ibadoglu's family members and relatives are deeply apprehensive about his well-being.

Ghalib Togrul highlighted that the family's access to medical updates is restricted solely to information conveyed by penitentiary service doctors through legal representatives, as they are denied direct access for medical examinations. The conditions in which Mr. Ibadoglu is being held have raised additional alarms. He is confined to a confined, inadequately ventilated cell, exacerbating his blood pressure concerns and posing grave risks to someone with an aortic aneurysm. The elevated blood sugar levels reported by prison medical personnel have triggered adverse kidney changes, compounded by visual impairment.

Over the 18 days of his detention, Mr. Ibadoglu has been denied visits from family members, a calculated tactic seemingly designed to intensify psychological pressure. This approach has yielded observable results, as medical assessments reveal anomalies in his thyroid gland. However, comprehensive diagnostics necessary for a precise understanding of the situation are infeasible within the prison setting.

Amid the escalating legal and health concerns, the situation surrounding Gubad Ibadoglu underscores the intricate interplay between the legal system, detention conditions, and the health challenges he faces, shedding light on broader debates surrounding detainees' rights and the treatment of individuals in custody.--0--