We, the undersigned, vehemently condemn the arrest and imprisonment by Azerbaijani authorities of esteemed economist and New University in Exile Consortium scholar, Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, who was arrested on July 23, 2023, upon his return to Azerbaijan for the first time since 2021. According to Reuters, Azerbaijani police claim to have found $40,000.00 in an office used by Dr. Ibadoghlu 10 years ago and he was detained on charges of "manufacturing with a view of selling, and also selling, counterfeit money by organized groups.” Subsequently, authorities claimed books related to Muhammed Fethullah Gülen were also found in the office, and new charges of “extremism” were brought. On November 16th, Dr. Ibadoghlu’s detention was extended for 3 additional months.

Since his arrest, Dr. Gubad has been denied essential medical care, including access to drinkable water, food, and his required medications. Dr. Gubad's health has deteriorated rapidly, impacting his kidneys, prostate, eyesight, and overall well-being. He suffers from sleeplessness, experiences chest pain, periods of unconsciousness, and an increased heart rate. Communication with Dr. Ibadoghlu’s lawyers is severely restricted, and meetings with relatives are limited. International organizations, including the International Committee of Red Cross and the International Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims, have been denied access to Dr. Ibadoghlu.

Dr. Ibadoghlu is an internationally respected economist who most recently was a Visiting Fellow and Senior Economist at the London School of Economics from September 2021 to August 2023. He is a member of the International Board for Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (EITI); Chairman of the Board of Azerbaijan Think Tank Alliance (ATTA), member of the Strategy Advisory Board of CAREC Think Tank Network (CTTN), member of Working Groups on “Grand Corruption and State Capture” and “Asset Stolen Recovery” of the UNCAC Coalition – Association for the Implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption.

In the name of justice and human rights, we demand that Dr. Ibadoghlu be immediately released and that the trumped-up charges leveled against him be dropped. We ask that all the international pressure possible be exerted on the Azerbaijani government, to make this happen.