My father is wrongly imprisoned in Azerbaijan – I’m working to free him

The son of a prominent international scholar is pushing for a meeting with Lord David Cameron to free his dad from imprisonment in Azerbaijan.

Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu – who has worked at LSE, Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill – was arrested on July 23, 2023, when plainclothes officers rammed a car he was driving in with his wife and took him into custody. 

He was later charged with the ‘acquisition or sale of counterfeit money by an organised group’ and ‘possessing extremist material’.

He faces 12 years in prison if convicted.

Dr Ibadoghlu was outspoken in his criticism of Azerbaijan’s increasingly authoritarian government before his arrest, something which human rights groups have cited as a reason for his harsh treatment.

His arrest is the latest in a series of troubling arrests in Azerbaijan, which will host COP29 in the capital city of Baku. 

Dr Ibadoghlu’s son Ibad Bayramov, 23, has spoken to Metro.co.uk about his dad’s detainment.

He explained how Dr Ibadoghlu fled Azerbaijan in 2014, even while his mother was ill, after the country passed a law similar to that of the Foreign Agent Law in Georgia.

After spending years abroad, he was told it was safe to return. He did so last summer, planning to meet young democracy activists and finally see his ailing mother. 

Instead, he was met with a violent arrest and refused vital medication for his diabetes and heart issues, it’s claimed.

Mr Bayramov told Metro.co.uk: ‘He’s going to live the rest of his life with the possibility of getting a heart attack. There has been a lot of support from his academic connections.

‘On the 250th day of his imprisonment, UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University sent a joint letter signed by professors at both universities.

‘On the same day, LSE, Oxford University and professors at other universities in the UK sent a letter to Lord Cameron demanding urgent action to get my father released.’

Dr Ibadoghlu has since been moved to house arrest, but is unable to undergo any vital medical tests such as MRIs due to his ankle monitor, his son said.

His family believes the UK is hesitating from confronting Azerbaijani officials due to Europe’s reliance on energy from the country as it weans itself off of Russian oil.

In March, it was revealed BP is set to fully finance a solar project in Azerbaijan – which may explain the British government’s ‘hesitancy’ to meet regarding Dr Ibadoghlu’s imprisonment.

Mr Bayramov said since Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron took office, he has not been able to speak to him about his father’s imprisonment. 

Bill Browder has campaigned to free other political prisoners like Dr Ibadoghlu, and told Metro.co.uk: ‘The persecution and torture of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu by the Aliev regime is one of the most shocking human rights abuse cases I’ve seen in recent times.

‘The denial of medical care to a very sick man is particularly egregious. I hope the Azerbaijani regime knows the eyes of the world are on them in this case.’

But the situation in Azerbaijan for those who speak out against the government has only become worse.

Mr Bayramov explained: ‘Azerbaijan is in a very difficult position because the country is basically following the steps of countries like Belarus. In the past year and two months, the number of political prisoners has more than tripled.’

Other wrongly imprisoned people in Azerbaijan include journalists, human rights defenders and activists. Peaceful protesters have also been arrested.

Mr Bayramov previously made a plea to let him see his father alive, before his dad was released on house arrest.

He said: ‘He is a human rights activist who has been promoting the values that governments like the UK have been trying to protect at all costs.

‘So to turn a blind eye just because of the economic ties, it’s turning a blind eye on your own cherished values.’

The Embassy for Azerbaijan in London has not responded to enquiries about Dr Ibadoghlu’s case.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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