Arbitrary arrest and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan

In this non-legislative resolution, adopted on 18 December 2025, Parliament strongly condemns the arrest, prosecution and sentencing of academics Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov in Azerbaijan on politically motivated high-treason charges, noting they were sentenced to 15 and 18 years respectively in closed trials whose alleged evidence consisted solely of contacts with Armenian scholars. It records that the number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan has surged to almost 400 and condemns the arrest of opposition leader Ali Karimli. The text calls on Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, guarantee fair trials, and align its legislation with international human rights obligations including freedom of expression and academic freedom. It calls for consideration of measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against responsible officials, asks the EU Delegation in Baku and the EU Human Rights Special Representative to monitor the cases, and states that progress on any future partnership agreement should be conditional on tangible human rights advances.