Latest news with #Abilov
News18
24-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Azerbaijan Man Faces 18 Years In Jail For Communicating With Armenian Historian
Last Updated: Scholar Igbal Abilov was sentenced to 18 years in jail for communicating with an Armenian academic over Skype. Azerbaijani scholar Igbal Abilov has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for online communications with an Armenian academic. He has been accused and found guilty of 'high treason" and 'collaborating with Armenian special services." The case is connected to his communication with an Armenian academic, Garnik Asatrian. Asatrian is a professor at Yerevan State University and the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University. He is a historian and is known for his expertise in Iranian studies. The two reportedly exchanged messages over Skype while Abilov was in a third country. As per the court ruling, Abilov was following 'instructions" from Armenian agents and was inciting 'interethnic hostility". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that, during the hearing, Abilov rejected all the charges brought against him as 'baseless" and 'absurd". It added that Abilov claimed that he had been kept in custody for a long time without any proof of his crime. He noted he was a student of the Talysh language and culture. Abilov is the editor-in-chief of the Talysh National Academy News, a press outlet of the Talysh National Academy. Abilov's lawyers told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that they would appeal the verdict. The case must be seen in the context of the tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, especially after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. This was followed by Azerbaijan's occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023. Nagorno-Karabakh is a region whose control is a matter of dispute between the two countries. According to JAMnews, Abilov is a man of Talysh ethnicity. He was born in Azerbaijan and spent most of his early life in Belarus. His academic interests include studying the languages and cultures of ethnic groups in the South Caucasus, Turkey, Iran, and the Far East. He has been held in pre-trial detention since July 22, 2024, as per JAMnews. In the words of his lawyer, 'For many years, he has been working to defend the rights of national minorities, researching their history, and conducting ethnographic studies…Most likely, his arrest is connected to this work." OC Media reported that Abilov is not the first Talysh historian to face the charge of treason from the Azerbaijan authorities. It reported that Talysh historian Zahiraddin Ibrahimov had disappeared on 26 March in Yekaterinburg, Russia. This was followed by his relatives receiving a letter charging Ibrahimov with several crimes, including treason. First Published: May 24, 2025, 14:23 IST
Mint
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Azerbaijan man jailed for 18 years after online communication with Armenian historian, sparks global outrage
In a deeply troubling development that highlights Azerbaijan's increasingly strict clampdown on dissent, a young man named Igbal Abilov has been sentenced to 18 years in prison—simply for having online conversations with an Armenian academic. The case has drawn criticism from human rights organisations and raised alarm among those advocating for peace in the Caucasus region. Abilov was found guilty of 'high treason' and 'collaborating with Armenian special services'. But those so-called services turned out to be none other than a respected historian — Professor Garnik Asatrian, an expert in Iranian studies based in Armenia. The two reportedly spoke via Skype while Abilov was residing in a third country, engaging in conversations that would appear scholarly in nature. Despite the peaceful tone of these interactions, Azerbaijani authorities interpreted the exchange as a threat to national security rather than a sign of potential reconciliation between long-divided neighbours. Garnik Asatrian is no political operative. He teaches at Yerevan State University and the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University and is known for his academic work in linguistics and cultural studies. Portraying him as a spy dangerously misrepresents his role and raises serious questions about Azerbaijan's intent behind the prosecution. The court's claims that Abilov carried out "instructions" from Armenian agents appear to lack solid evidence. According to observers, the verdict leaned heavily on speculation and private conversations, without transparent proof of any wrongdoing. This harsh punishment is part of a broader trend in Azerbaijan, where the government has increasingly targeted journalists, activists, and others who challenge the official narrative. Contact with Armenians—regardless of context—is often treated as suspect, and Abilov's sentencing only reinforces that chilling stance. The decision has been widely condemned, especially by those invested in fostering dialogue between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and Azerbaijan's 2023 military action in the region, the relationship between the two countries remains tense. But instead of allowing space for mutual understanding and reconciliation, the Azerbaijani government appears to be closing the door on such possibilities. Rather than encouraging young citizens to engage in education and peaceful dialogue, this ruling sends a stark warning: curiosity and openness may come at a heavy cost. The imprisonment of Abilov does not only affect one individual—it threatens to silence an entire generation who may wish to ask difficult questions, seek knowledge, and pursue peace.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Azerbaijani man sentenced for ‘treason' after speaking with Armenian historian, jailed for 18 years
Igbal Abilov, an Azerbaijani scholar and lecturer at Belarusian State University, was sentenced to 18 years in jail over his online communication with Armenian academic Professor Garnik Asatrian, reported the Armenian Report. The harsh verdict came after Abilov was found guilty of 'high treason' and 'collaborating with Armenian special services.' The outlet, however, reported that Asatrian is not a political figure or military strategist. He is a professor known for researching languages, cultures, and ethnic histories. The professor works at Yerevan State University and the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University. 'It's been exactly nine months since our son was taken from us,' Shahib Abilov, father of Igbal Abilov, told Jam News after his arrest. The 36-year-old jailed researcher was involved in studies about the national culture of the Talysh people in Azerbaijan. He was arrested in July 2024 on charges of treason. He reportedly exchanged messages with Asatrian over Skype, which the government claimed "incite interethnic hostility'. Shahib Abilov recounted that his son was interrogated for hours by the State Security Service. The authorities said Iqbal Avilov's phone was tapped despite him not living in Azerbaijan. 'But then they let him go. He came out smiling, just as we were used to seeing him. They told me: 'He's a scholar — let him do his research, not get involved in other matters.' I replied: 'But he isn't involved in anything else,'' Shahib told Jam News. 'On 19 July, we received a call saying, 'Tell him to come to Masalli (260 km from Baku) to collect his documents.' We thought — thank God, there is justice,' he recalled. 'We arrived there and waited by the gates while Igbal went inside. Barely five minutes later, a car sped past at high speed. We grew anxious and went inside. We asked, 'What happened?' They told us, 'Yes, he was taken away.' After that, we notified the Ombudsman's Office and returned to Baku. There we were officially told that he had been arrested. 'For what?' I asked. They replied: 'We don't know. It's a political case',' Shahib recollected. As per a report by the Armenian Report, Azerbaijan has tightened its security measures and its crackdown on people it sees as a political threat, including journalists and activists. Abilov's arrest comes amid the existing tension between the nations following the 2020 war over Nagorno-Karabakh and the Azerbaijan military's takeover of an Armenian region in 2023.
