Pacifist Scholar Bahruz Samadov Ends Hunger Strike Due to Worsening Health After 15-Year Treason Sentence

Bahruz Samadov

BAKU, Azerbaijan – Prominent pacifist scholar and political analyst Bahruz Samadov, controversially sentenced to 15 years in prison on treason charges, has ended the hunger strike he began in protest of his conviction. His decision was reportedly driven by a severe deterioration of his health, coupled with the insistent pleas of his elderly grandmother.

Samadov, a doctoral student at Charles University in the Czech Republic, initiated a death hunger strike on June 19, specifically protesting the state prosecutor's demand for a 16-year sentence during his trial on June 20.

According to feminist and public activist Gulnara Mehdiyeva and Samadov's relatives, his health rapidly declined during the protest. His pre-existing eczema significantly worsened, causing his face to bleed. "Bahruz's eczema has flared up, and his face started bleeding," Mehdiyeva stated. His relatives further elaborated, "Due to his health condition and his elderly grandmother's insistence, he had to stop the protest." At the time, his lawyer, Zibeyda Sadiqova, noted that he was "weak" and "only consuming water."

The Controversial Conviction

The development follows Samadov's sentencing to 15 years in prison by the Baku Court of Grave Crimes on June 23. He was found guilty under Article 274 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to treason, with allegations of collaborating with Armenian special services.

However, Samadov vehemently denies all charges, asserting his innocence and claiming the accusations are fabricated. He has consistently maintained that he is being punished for his pacifist views and academic pursuits. In his testimony during the April 21 court session, he highlighted the absurdity of the charges, stating, "I hadn't lived in the country for six years. I never worked in any state body. I had no access to any classified documents. How can I transfer state secrets I don't possess to anyone?" He believes he is being targeted for his opposition to war and his calls for peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Samadov is well-known for his research on the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict and has authored articles critical of the Azerbaijani government. He was detained by State Security Service officers on August 21, 2024, while on vacation from his studies in Prague.

Calls for Justice and Official Responses

The case has drawn attention from human rights advocates and official bodies. The Ombudsman's Office has confirmed its engagement, responding to inquiries from AzadliqRadiosu. The institution stated that steps have been taken within its mandate to protect Samadov's rights. His grandmother, Zibeyda Osmanova, was received at the Ombudsman's Office, and her application was processed, leading to an inquiry being sent to the relevant bodies. Furthermore, a recent appeal from Samadov's lawyer, Zibeyda Sadiqova, to the Ombudsman's Call Center resulted in another inquiry to the Penitentiary Service, and Samadov was reportedly met with at his detention facility.

Despite these efforts, the verdict stands. Samadov's lawyer, Zibeyda Sadiqova, has publicly declared the verdict "baseless and unjust" and confirmed her intention to file an appeal.

Samadov's grandmother, Zibeyda Osmanova, voiced a strong condemnation of the situation, saying, "They themselves plunder this country's wealth, and they fill prisons with those who speak about it. In this country, freedom of speech and assembly exist only on paper. If it doesn't work, what's the need for a piece of paper called 'constitution'?! They have made the people servants, they steal what they want, they do what they want. What are they afraid of that they rot young people who speak the truth in prison?"

Bahruz Samadov's case continues to be a focal point for discussions on human rights, academic freedom, and the suppression of dissenting voices in Azerbaijan. His legal team is now preparing for the appeal process, as the international community watches closely.