resolution motion, 15 December 2025
On the arbitrary arrest and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan
Motion B-10-2025-0583 · (2025/0583(RSP))
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Sebastião Bugalho, Danuše Nerudová, Isabel WiselerLima, Tomas Tobé, Loucas Fourlas, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Miriam Lexmann, Wouter Beke, Tomáš Zdechovský, Liudas Mažylis, Jessica Polfjärd, Davor Ivo Stier, Łukasz Kohut, Jan Farský, Luděk Niedermayer
AI:In short
The resolution strongly condemns the arrest and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan on politically motivated charges, and expresses concern over the erosion of academic freedom and human rights. It calls for their immediate release, fair trials, and an end to repression against journalists, activists, and academics, and demands international medical access for Samadov. It urges Azerbaijani authorities to comply with international obligations and stresses that scholarly exchanges are protected forms of academic freedom.
Key points
- Strongly condemns the arrest, prosecution and sentencing of Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov on politically motivated charges.
- Expresses deep concern at the continuing erosion of academic freedom, freedom of expression and cultural rights in Azerbaijan.
- Reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, in particular Samadov and Abilov.
- Urges Azerbaijani authorities to guarantee fair trials, due process, and end repression against journalists, activists, academics and other individuals.
- Calls on Azerbaijani authorities to ensure scholars' unhindered access to their families, lawyers of their choosing and adequate, independent medical care.
- Demands immediate access for an independent international medical team to assess Samadov’s condition.
- Condemns the use of national security legislation to repress peaceful academic cooperation, scholarly discussion, and public criticism.
- Stresses that such practices violate Azerbaijan’s international human rights obligations under the ICCPR and its commitments to the Council of Europe and the OSCE.
- Urges Azerbaijan to cease intimidation, smear campaigns, and repression against academics, researchers, journalists, and human rights defenders.
- Reminds authorities that scholarly exchanges, including cross-border cooperation on minority issues, are protected forms of academic freedom.
- Calls on the EU Human Rights Special Representative to conduct meetings with the detained academics and demands the presence of EU and Member States ambassadors in Baku to observe and monitor the trials.
Who is affected
- Azerbaijani authorities, who are urged to release political prisoners and ensure fair trials and medical care.
- Academics, journalists, activists, and human rights defenders in Azerbaijan, who face repression and intimidation.
- Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov, who are detained and sentenced, and whose release is demanded.
- EU Human Rights Special Representative and EU ambassadors in Baku, who are called to act.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 19 paragraphs
B100583/2025
European Parliament resolution on the arbitrary arrest and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan
(2025/0583(RSP))
The European Parliament,
having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan,
having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,
whereas on 20 May 2025 Igbal Abilov, Talysh academic and editor-in-cheif of Talysh National Academy News, was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment in prison on charges of high treason and inciting ethnic hatred;
whereas on 23 June 2025 Bahruz Samadov, a PhD student at Charles University and contributor to independent Eurasia-focused media outlets, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on charges of high treason under Article 274 of the Criminal Code;
whereas Samadov has undertaken a hunger strike and attempted suicide in detention; whereas serious concerns exist regarding his mental and physical health; whereas requests for visits by the Public Defender have been denied;
whereas both trials were held behind closed doors, in violation of international fair trial standards; whereas the scholars were denied adequate legal representation and the presumption of innocence; whereas the alleged evidence consisted solely of contacts and exchanges with Armenian scholars;
whereas approximately 300 political prisoners are currently held in Azerbaijan following unfair trials on politically motivated charges, including human rights defenders, journalists, academics and political activists;
Strongly condemns the arrest, prosecution and sentencing of Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov on politically motivated charges and expresses deep concern at the continuing erosion of academic freedom, freedom of expression and cultural rights in Azerbaijan;
Read the rest (7 paragraphs)
Reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, in particular Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov, and urges the authorities to guarantee fair trials, due process, and end repression against journalists, activists, academics and other individuals;
Calls on Azerbaijani authorities to comply with international obligations and ensure scholars' unhindered access to their families, lawyers of their choosing and adequate, independent medical care;
Expresses profound concern regarding the unlawful detention and lack of transparency surrounding these cases; demands immediate access for an independent international medical team to assess Samadov’s condition;
Condemns the use of national security legislation to repress peaceful academic cooperation, scholarly discussion, and public criticism; stresses that such practices violate Azerbaijan’s international human rights obligations under the ICCPR and its commitments to the Council of Europe and the OSCE;
Recalls that the independence and the safety of academics, writers, journalists and human rights defenders must always be safeguarded; urges Azerbaijan to cease intimidation, smear campaigns, and repression against academics, researchers, journalists, and human rights defenders; reminds authorities that scholarly exchanges, including cross-border cooperation on minority issues, are protected forms of academic freedom;
Calls on the EU Human Rights Special Representative to conduct meetings with the detained academics; demands the presence of the EU and Member States ambassadors in Baku to observe and monitor the sham trials;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, Member States and the President, Government and Parliament of Azerbaijan.