A Scientist Arrested in Azerbaijan for Correspondence with Armenians: Details

A scientist-peace activist has been arrested in Azerbaijan for treason. He had correspondence with Armenians. 

The well-known Azerbaijani scientist, an advocate for peace with Armenia, has been detained on charges of state treason. He is one of the numerous critics of the authorities who have been imprisoned over the past several months.

Experts say that the country is now experiencing unprecedented repression during Ilham Aliyev's administration. Bahruz Samadov, a political researcher at Charles University in Prague and a qualified PhD expert, is one of the few publicly known critics of the Azerbaijani government who has been free in Azerbaijan—until yesterday evening.

Friends were unable to reach Bahruz that evening, and in the morning, his relatives learned that a search had been conducted at his grandmother's apartment, where he lived, and that he had been arrested. This was reported by BBC News.

The authorities have not yet commented or confirmed the scientist's arrest. One of his friends told the Georgian publication OC-Media that Bahruz was anticipating his arrest and often joked that he would be charged with treason.

According to his grandmother, Zibeyda, after the arrest and search, a woman named Vafa called her and claimed to be his lawyer, stating that Samadov had been accused of state treason after correspondence with Armenians was found, with whom he allegedly wrote articles criticizing the Azerbaijani authorities at their 'request.'

“Bahruz has been and remains an important voice in media debates and discussions about peace, and I hope he will be released as soon as possible,” wrote Lawrence Broers, a British researcher on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict who is well acquainted with Samadov, on social media.

The young scientist is recognized for his pacifist views and as a supporter of a rapid peace agreement with Armenia, with which Azerbaijan has been in conflict for over 30 years.

Human rights defenders note that in recent months, Azerbaijan has experienced the most extensive repression during Ilham Aliyev’s rule. According to their data, there are currently over 300 political prisoners in the country, a situation that has never occurred during his 20 years in power. Dozens of journalists have been imprisoned since late last year on charges of financial crimes.

The duration of these detentions has been extended multiple times, leading regime critics to hope that some behind-the-scenes negotiations might be underway with the West and that they could be released ahead of the UN Climate Change Summit. However, this month, many journalists faced even harsher charges, threatening them with up to 12 years in prison.

Political activists, human rights defenders, and scientists are also being sent to prison. In April, prominent economist and researcher Gubad Ibadoglu from the London School of Economics was placed under house arrest due to health issues. However, a month later, another scientist, Fazil Gasimov, was arrested, and in June, ethnographer Iqbal Abilov, who studied the rights of ethnic minorities in Azerbaijan, was also detained. Like Bahruz, he was accused of state treason.