Tillis, Coons Renew Call for Release of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu

Jul 23 2026

Tillis, Coons Renew Call for Release of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Chris Coons (D-DE), co-chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, led a group of seven Senators urging for the immediate release of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu on the third anniversary of his arrest and released the following statement:

"This week marks three years since Azerbaijani authorities violently and arbitrarily detained internationally renowned economist, anti-corruption expert, and academic Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu on false charges, which have been universally condemned as politically motivated and baseless. To this day, Dr. Ibadoghlu has never received a fair trial.

"Today, more than 1,000 days since his arrest, Dr. Ibadoghlu remains under indefinite house arrest, under constant surveillance, barred from domestic and international travel, and required to report to police twice a week. His health has deteriorated gravely. He suffers from a worsening aortic aneurysm requiring urgent surgery, type 2 diabetes with chronically uncontrolled blood sugar, and high blood pressure. Doctors have warned that without immediate specialist intervention, his life is at serious risk, yet Azerbaijan's travel ban continues to block him from receiving the lifesaving care he urgently needs.

"Dr. Ibadoghlu has dedicated his career to democracy, good governance, and anti-corruption research, including years of teaching and conducting research at leading American universities. He is not simply a political prisoner; he is a man whose life is slipping away while the world watches. That is unacceptable.

"We call on Azerbaijani authorities to release Dr. Ibadoghlu immediately and unconditionally and to lift his travel ban without delay. Three years is too long. His life is at stake. The time for action is now."

Joining Senators Tillis and Coons are Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

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