ULB calls for support for arrested Azerbaijani researcher Bahruz Samadov
Bahruz Samadov, an intellectual who is very active on the public stage, has published numerous papers in academic circles and in the media, which have shed light on the complex nature of Azerbaijani society against a backdrop of recurrent outbreaks of war. By courageously taking a stand from the very first day against the war, which broke out once again in his country in 2020, he was exposed to a massive smear campaign.
ULB had the pleasure and honour of welcoming Bahruz Samadov on two occasions in 2022 and 2023 during lectures, then as part of a joint research group that, in particular, brought together young Azerbaijani and Armenian researchers with a view to updating the historiography of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, as well as to promoting discussion and peace.
The sentence ranges from twelve years to life imprisonment
Now, he is being held in pre-trial detention and is accused of treason against the State for having taken part in meetings with Armenian colleagues, held under the auspices of European bodies and, if convicted, faces a sentence ranging from twelve years to life imprisonment. Bahruz Samadov was psychologically and physically mistreated when arrested. He began a hunger strike after having been beaten. His detention conditions are highly alarming.
Following his arrest, some of his colleagues and other Azerbaijani peace activists, close to Samadov, were detained and questioned by Azerbaijani police. They are banned from leaving the country and constantly live in fear of being arrested.
Bahruz’s colleagues and academics at ULB express their solidarity and call for his immediate release. They call on universities, concerned about his condition, as well as the entire international academic community to disseminate information about his situation and to express their strong solidarity with him, by signing this open letter. ULB reasserts its wholehearted commitment to academic freedom around the world.
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