International academics and a human rights defender call on Ilham Aliyev

A group of international academics and a human rights defender have appealed to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the release of Azerbaijani political commentator and analyst Bahruz Samedov.

The appeal notes that on June 23 of last year, a court sentenced Bahruz Samedov to 15 years in prison. According to the appeal, the charges against him were brought because of his peaceful anti-war stance.

The authors of the letter state that such treatment of peaceful activists is unacceptable for modern Azerbaijan, which maintains close economic and cultural ties with the European Union and the United States. The appeal emphasizes that Bahruz Samedov is currently being held in solitary confinement at Prison No. 11 and has been threatened with transfer to Umbaku prison, located 60 kilometers from Baku. The authors note that Umbaku prison is known for its harsh and inhumane conditions.

The letter says that Bahruz Samedov has attempted suicide twice while in detention, and transferring him to Umbaku would pose a serious threat to his life. It also points out that his only close relative, his grandmother, would be unable to visit him due to the distance.

The appeal further states that despite recent peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Bahruz Samedov’s sentence was upheld on appeal. According to the authors, his “crime” consists solely of being in contact with Armenian students and peaceful activists.

The authors call on Aliyev to “continue on the path of peace and compassion,” urging a review of Bahruz Samedov’s sentence and allowing him to live a free and peaceful life.

The appeal is signed by Daniil Beilinson, co-founder of the human rights organization OVD-Info; Slavoj Žižek, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Ljubljana; Altay Goyushov, Director of the Baku Research Institute; and Alessandra Russo, Professor at the University of Trento.

Bahruz Samedov is known for his research on the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict and for writings critical of the Azerbaijani government.

He was detained on August 21, 2024, by officers of the State Security Service.

He has been charged under Article 274 of the Criminal Code (treason against the state).

Bahruz Samedov denies the charges and maintains his innocence.

On June 23, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

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