Imprisoned Scholar on Hunger Strike Over Legal Violations and Abuse Claims

Fazil Gasimov

Imprisoned Scholar on Hunger Strike Over Legal Violations and Abuse ClaimsPublished: May 19, 2025

Fazil Gasimov, an Azerbaijani PhD student at Istanbul University who is imprisoned in Azerbaijan, is reported to have been on a hunger strike for 10 days. According to his relatives, who spoke to Radio Azadliq, Gasimov—who is being held at the penitentiary institution in Umbaki settlement, Garadagh district of Baku—is protesting his unlawful detention and the failure to send his complaints and petitions to the appropriate authorities:

“He began his hunger strike on May 10. Although he committed no crime, the Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced him to nine years in prison on a counterfeit currency charge. Not a single piece of evidence was presented. Fazil Gasimov, on the other hand, presented numerous pieces of evidence proving his innocence, none of which were taken into account. The only power this man has left is to harm his own body.”

His lawyer, Nemat Karimli, confirmed to Radio Azadliq that his client began his hunger strike on May 10.

Gasimov was detained in Istanbul in August 2023—around 10 days after the arrest of economist Gubad Ibadoghlu—and brought to Baku. He was arrested as part of the investigation into the criminal case opened against Ibadoghlu and charged under Article 204.3.1 of the Criminal Code (acquisition or sale of counterfeit money or foreign currency for the purpose of distribution, including acts committed by an organized group). He is currently appealing the verdict at the Baku Court of Appeal.

According to the criminal case file, Gasimov allegedly met economist Gubad Ibadoghlu in Istanbul in June 2023 and handed him counterfeit $100 bills. It is claimed that Ibadoghlu then brought these counterfeit notes to Baku.

During the preliminary hearing at the Baku Court of Appeal, the defense requested that Gasimov’s complaint be reviewed through a judicial investigation (including examination of evidence, witness questioning, etc.). In particular, the defense demanded that Professor Gubad Ibadoghlu be summoned to court and questioned as a witness. The lawyer emphasized that Gasimov has been accused of collusion with Ibadoghlu. It is alleged that the counterfeit currency was sent from Turkey to Baku via Ibadoghlu.

The defense argues that without questioning Ibadoghlu, it is legally impossible for the court to evaluate the matter properly. The same request was made during the original trial at the Baku Serious Crimes Court but was rejected.

The Court of Appeal also rejected the request. It ruled that Gasimov’s appeal would be reviewed without a judicial investigation. This decision has triggered further protest from Gasimov.

Gasimov’s family has also reported that he was subjected to ill-treatment at the Umbaki Penitentiary Institution.

The Penitentiary Service has not provided any comment regarding his hunger strike or current condition.

Previously, in June 2024, Gasimov declared a hunger strike to protest his arrest.

Born in 1990, Fazil Gasimov maintains his innocence and states that the counterfeit money charge against him is false.

Professor Gubad Ibadoghlu, an economist and former chair of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Welfare Party (ADRP), was arrested on July 23, 2023, under Article 204.3.1 of the Criminal Code.

On the day of his arrest, a search was conducted at the organization’s office, where $40,000 was allegedly found—part of which was claimed to be counterfeit. The professor stated that the money was planted by law enforcement officers.

Later during the investigation, Ibadoghlu was also charged under Article 167-3.1 of the Criminal Code (preparation, storage, and distribution of religious extremist materials), but he rejects this charge as well, calling the case fabrications.

On April 22, 2024, Ibadoghlu was released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest. Later, a preventive measure of police supervision was imposed. In August 2024, his case was separated from the main investigation.

A short time after Ibadoghlu’s release, the party he led decided to suspend its operations. The party’s board stated that the decision was made due to the authorities’ refusal to register the party’s activities.