Chris Smith Advocates for Azerbaijani Scholar and Anti-Corruption Champion

U.S. Congressman Chris Smith

U.S. Congressman Chris Smith has called for an end to the criminal prosecution of Azerbaijani economist and anti-corruption activist Gubad Ibadoglu, urging his full reinstatement.

Representative Smith, a Republican from the U.S. House of Representatives, issued a special statement marking the second anniversary of Ibadoglu's detention.

As co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Smith highlighted the absurdity of the charges of counterfeiting money against Ibadoglu.

"Two years ago, on July 23, 2023, Dr. Gubad Ibadoglu was unjustly arrested and imprisoned by the government of Azerbaijan," Smith's statement, published on his official website, reads. "He is not forgotten, thanks to the tireless support of his family and supporters. The release of Dr. Ibadoglu and the release of all political prisoners without any preconditions can and should be a top priority for the Trump administration in its work to establish peace in the Caucasus," the congressman emphasized.

The regime's repression, Smith further noted, has extended to Dr. Ibadoglu's family. "His brother is under police surveillance, an obvious attempt to intimidate anyone who might try to help or speak out in defense of Dr. Ibadoglu," Smith said.

"We are deeply grateful to the Trump administration for working towards his release and the release of other political prisoners, and I strongly urge Secretary Rubio to show urgency and determination, and to consider imposing targeted sanctions under the Magnitsky Act related to human rights violations and corruption against individuals grossly involved in Dr. Ibadoglu's imprisonment and medical abuse. We must do everything possible to secure his release and hold this brutal and ruthless government accountable," the American congressman stated.

A leading voice pushing for fundamental human rights globally, Chairman Smith has long advocated on behalf of Azerbaijanis persecuted by their own government for exposing official corruption, including blogger Mehman Huseynov in 2015 and 2019. In December 2015, Smith chaired the hearing, “Azerbaijan’s Persecution of RFE/RL Reporter Khadija Ismayilova.” In that same year, Smith introduced the Azerbaijan Democracy Act to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights in that country. He has visited Azerbaijan on several human rights missions. The U. S. government’s report on human rights practices in the country documents many grave abuses—including unlawful or arbitrary killings, torture, harsh and sometimes life-threatening prison conditions, arbitrary detention, political prisoners, and politically motivated reprisal against individuals outside the country.

Ibadoglu was detained and arrested in July 2023 and charged under Article 204.3.1 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code (production, acquisition, or sale of counterfeit money or securities committed by an organized group), which carries a sentence of up to 12 years in prison. On August 25, 2023, Ibadoglu was charged with a new offense: religious extremism.

On April 17, 2024, the investigation into Gubad Ibadoglu's case was concluded, and on April 22, the court placed him under house arrest. This happened after a group of American congressmen proposed imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan. Subsequently, Ibadoglu was placed under police supervision. However, despite the need for a complex heart operation, authorities are not allowing him to leave the country.