Day: October 5, 2023
The case of Gubad Ibadoglu
Opposition politician and scientist-economist Gubad Ibadoglu, who has been imprisoned in Azerbaijan for more than two months, has difficulty moving because of health problems. His brother Galib Bayramov wrote about it on his Facebook page.
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“We continue to be concerned about my brother’s health. In particular, our family is seriously concerned about his rising blood sugar levels, the progression of his aortic aneurysm, and the ongoing pain in his spine.
Even before his arrest, doctors had sent Gubad Ibadoglu for physiotherapy because of his spinal problems. However, due to his detention, the procedure could not be carried out. He takes painkillers three times a day because he suffers from severe pain,” Bayramov said in a social media post.
According to him, yesterday, September 3, Gubad Ibadoglu’s blood sugar level was 380 mg/dl, and today it is 334 mg/dl. The upper limit of the norm is 140 units.
Bayramov also said that the most serious health problem of Gubad Ibadoglu is related to his heart. He reminded that even the European Court of Human Rights made a decision and imposed obligations on the Azerbaijani government on September 20. According to this decision, Gubad Ibadoglu should be examined more seriously and inform the European Court about the result:
European Court to consider case of oppositionist arrested in Azerbaijan as a matter of urgency
“Aortic aneurysm is a very serious condition. Thus, the judgment of the European Court of Justice indicates that he should be thoroughly examined. If necessary, he should be taken to an appropriate clinic for specialized examination. However, no steps have been taken since the decision was made on September 20,” Bayramov told Meydan TV.
According to Galib Bayramov, who spoke to his brother by phone on October 3, Gubad Ibadoglu’s blood pressure and blood sugar levels remain as high as before. However, doctors who examined him in the Baku pre-trial detention center say his blood pressure is normal.
When Gubad Ibadoglu’s complaint was considered in Narimanov District Court about not being properly examined and not receiving the necessary medical care, he stated that after the doctors in the pre-trial detention center measured his blood pressure, he measured it again in his cell with his personal blood pressure meter, and there was a sharp difference between the results:
“Every time the doctors in the pre-trial detention center measure his blood pressure, they claim that his blood pressure is 110 over 70 or 120 over 80. However, the blood pressure of a person with such a heart problem cannot be normal. When he measures himself, his blood pressure is off the charts. I spoke to him yesterday (October 3) and he said his blood sugar level is also high – 370 units.”
Two representatives of European Parliament call on Azerbaijani authorities to release Gubad Ibadoglu
The Narimanov District Court of Baku did not satisfy the complaint of Gubad Ibadoglu. The Chief Medical Department of the Ministry of Justice informed that all necessary examinations were conducted and he was provided with medical assistance.
This decision of the court will be appealed.
What happened?
On July 23, Gubad Ibadoglu, chairman of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Prosperity Movement, was detained by officers of the Main Department for Combating Organized Crime. He was charged under Article 204.3.1 of the Criminal Code (if an organized group committed the manufacture, acquisition or sale of counterfeit money or securities).
According to information released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, one of the four people detained in the course of a special operation related to FETÖ (an organization declared terrorist in Turkey, whose head, Fathullah Gülen, is a preacher living in Pennsylvania, USA), had links with Ibadoglu which led to his prosecution.
Searches were carried out in his office, apartment, and dacha. On July 24, the Narimanov District Court of Baku city sentenced the opposition politician to three months and 26 days of arrest.
Ibadoglu pleads not guilty and links his arrest to political activities.
Two weeks later, Turkish law enforcement officers detained and handed over to the Azerbaijani government another economist, Fazil Qasimov, who lives and works in Istanbul. According to official information, he was arrested in the case of Gubad Ibadoglu and he was also charged with a similar charge under article 204.3.1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Such influential international structures as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch and Human Rights House, and a number of Western and European embassies appealed to the Azerbaijani government to release Ibadoglu.
Injuries are reported after fire broke out in one of the liquified gas filling stations in the Jermuk gorge, in an aboveground reservoir with a capacity of about 15 tons, the Rescue Service of Armenia’s Ministry of Interior reports.
The Vayoots Dzor Regional Rescue Department was alerted on October 4, at 11:06 p.m., that a fire had broken out at one of the liquefied gas filling stations in the city of Vayk. Fire engines and rescue groups were rushed to the scene.
Three citizens were taken to hospital with different degrees of burns, two are in severe condition. Forty-seven people were evacuated.
Under the presidency of the Catholicos of All Armenians, a meeting of Synod of Bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin Tuesday, during which the problems related to the depopulation of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) as a result of the genocidal actions of Azerbaijan and the ontological challenges facing Armenia were discussed.
As a result of discussions, the following statement was adopted:
“The tragic events that took place recently as a result of the non-stop genocidal actions of Azerbaijan in Artsakh, the forced displacement of the Armenians of Artsakh, have overwhelmed our people with new pain and heavy feelings of anxiety. The monstrous crimes committed against the Armenians of Artsakh fighting for their own identity are the real picture of Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian state policy.
“The disproportionate reactions of the international community to the crimes that took place in Artsakh are more than disappointing, which, in fact, had no effect on the prevention and counteraction of crimes.
“In addition to the existing severe trials, the policy adopted by the Armenian authorities is very worrying, as it creates new ontological threats for our people in the conditions of very dangerous geopolitical developments.
“We call on the authorities of the Republic of Armenia to seriously and responsibly assess the dangers threatening our people, to put an end to adventures, and to exercise vigilance and wisdom within the framework of foreign policy, especially in relations with allied states. Our country and our people cannot become the subject of dangerous experiments of any political power.
“We offer our encouragement and humility to the children of our people around the world, who have taken care of the needs of the Armenians of Artsakh forcibly displaced from Artsakh with the warmest feelings of kinship.
“We urge the faithful flock of our Church to continue the support programs for Artsakh Armenians with the same zeal. We also urge you not to pay tribute in any way to the destructive propaganda that undermines solidarity and serves the interests of anti-national groups and factions and, in particular, to stay away from the shameful terminology that creates antagonism between Artsakh and Armenians. The Armenian people are one with their identity, their past and their visions. Nationwide, anti-national ideas and currents opposing our identity and existence must be pushed out of our lives.
“Our holy church, with its worldwide dioceses and spiritual servants, believes in the perpetuation of our people and is committed to overcoming the ontological problems of all Armenians and building a bright future for the Armenians.
“In Christ Jesus, with a united prayer, we ask for the abundant blessings and protection of the heavenly Lord for our homeland and a safe and secure life for our pious people.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Cor. 13:11), now and forever. Amen.”