The Guardian: Ahead of COP29, British MPs called on Aliyev to release the critic of the oil and gas policy

A group of British MPs have called on the Azerbaijan government to free an academic from the London School of Economics and Political Science, Gubad Ibadoghlu, who was detained after writing articles critical of the country’s environmental policies, The Guardian writes.

Ibadoghlu, who is based in the U.K., was arrested and held by Azerbaijan authorities while visiting members of his family in July 2023.

In the run-up to the U.N.’s COP29 climate summit, international non-governmental organization Global Witness, 25 campaign groups and British lawmakers addressed to Azerbaijani President IIham Aliyev in a letter, calling for Ibadoghlu’s unconditional release.

Fears have grown for his welfare after a separate letter to Ibadoghlu’s legal team, seen by the Guardian, confirmed his pre-trial process was suspended indefinitely.

“Azerbaijan’s courts have now frozen the case, cancelled trial proceedings and are preparing to keep Dr Ibadoghlu hostage indefinitely. We ask that you free him unconditionally, allow him to seek medical treatment abroad, and reunite him with his family,” the letter says.

Azerbaijan, one of the most fossil fuel-dependent economies, with oil and gas comprising up to 90% of its exports and providing 60% of the government’s budget, has come under intense scrutiny in advance of hosting this year’s climate summit.

“If Azerbaijan is to make this year’s climate conference truly a Cop of peace, the government must immediately and unconditionally free Gubad Ibadoghlu and drop all charges against him,” the letter says.