Amnesty International Launches Campaign for the Release of Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov

Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov

The international human rights organization Amnesty International has launched a campaign for the release of young academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov, who are imprisoned in Azerbaijan.

As part of the campaign, the organization has called on its supporters to write letters to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, urging the release of the researchers.

The organization has prepared a sample letter for those who wish to join the campaign.

The message states that Samadov and Abilov were arrested on fabricated charges and for political motives.

"The conviction of Igbal Abilov and Bahruz Samadov to long prison sentences on fabricated charges is apparently part of a campaign to suppress criticism in academic circles and prevent the discussion of politically sensitive issues," the appeal says.

It contains a call to "immediately and unconditionally release" Samadov and Abilov.

Adequate medical care should be provided to them pending their release.

Furthermore, the appeal states that independent observers and lawyers should be able to visit them in detention. "We also urge you to stop the widespread persecution of peaceful critics, journalists, and activists and ensure that Azerbaijan fully complies with its obligations under international human rights law," the appeal further states.

Bahruz Samadov, a PhD student at Charles University in the Czech Republic, was detained in Azerbaijan on August 21, 2024, and arrested on charges of high treason. According to the investigation, he was writing and translating articles at the request of representatives from Armenia. The accusation is based on Samadov's correspondence with three women from Armenia. Samadov himself has categorically denied the charge of high treason. Samadov is known for his criticism of the Azerbaijani authorities, which he has expressed in foreign publications. His defense believes that the reason for his arrest was his "anti-war views."

On June 23, the Baku Court for Serious Crimes sentenced him to 15 years in prison.

The young academic Igbal Abilov, editor-in-chief of the virtual "Bulletin of the Talysh National Academy," who had lived in Belarus since childhood, was arrested in Azerbaijan in the summer of 2024 on charges of cooperating with the Armenian special services. In May 2025, a court sentenced him to 18 years in prison on a charge of high treason.

The scholar's relatives have named his research into Talysh culture as the true reason for the criminal case.

Human rights activists have recognized Samadov and Abilov as political prisoners.