Court sentences Talysh researcher to 18 years of freedom deprivation

A court in Azerbaijan has sentenced Igbal Abilov, a Talysh researcher, to 18 years of freedom deprivation for treason. The charges were based on subjective assumptions, his defence has stated intending to appeal against the verdict.

The Lankaran Court for Grave Crimes has completed Abilov’s trial and sentenced him to 18 years of freedom deprivation, the public Committee for Defence of Abilov's Rights has stated.

The verdict is a punishment for "science, free speech and ethnic identity," the authors of the statement believe. They emphasize that Abilov did not participate in any political activity and his only "crime" was conducting objective, conscientious studies and protecting the "cultural heritage" of his people.

Fariz Namazly, Abilov's advocate, has told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that the researcher's guilt has not been proven on any of the charges.

"Igbal Abilov is a scientist, an intellectual, a creative person. No reliable proofs of his guilt were presented. The charges were based on subjective assumptions and interpretations," Mr Namazly has stated, adding that the defence treats the sentence as unlawful and harsh, and intends to appeal against it at the appellate court.

The Lankaran Court for Grave Crimes has confirmed the information about Abilov's sentence.

The officials of the prosecution were not available for comments.

This was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on May 20, 2025 at 12:50 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.