Nathan Reynoso 
29 September 2026
BERLIN – Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, economist, scholar, and human and environmental rights defender who has been under house arrest for trumped-up charges by the government of Azerbaijan, has arrived in Germany from Azerbaijan to receive critically needed medical treatment. He was met by family as he arrived by plane from Azerbaijan in the early hours of September 29.
Although the trumped-up charges against him have not been dropped by the government of Azerbaijan, an agreement was reached between the governments of Germany and Azerbaijan to allow him to receive medical care in Germany.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who stood with our family and supported us during this extraordinarily difficult time,” said Emin Bayramli, Dr. Ibadoghlu’s son. “We also want to express our deep gratitude to the German government, the United States Congress, and the U.S. Department of State for raising my father’s case, helping facilitate his travel to Germany, and helping bring him back to our family. After more than three years of uncertainty and advocacy, being able to embrace my father in Europe is a moment our family will never forget. While we celebrate this important step, we continue to call for all remaining charges against him to be dropped.”
Dr. Ibadoghlu was brutally arrested by the Azerbaijani authorities on July 23, 2023 and placed in pre-trial detention, where he spent nine harrowing months, denied medical care, proper access to legal counsel, his family, and subjected to cruel treatment. In April 2024, he was released to house arrest, and was unable to travel, work, receive medical treatment, or engage with colleagues and family members.
Dr. Ibadoghlu was targeted by the Azerbaijani authorities because of his anti-corruption human rights work, and is one of hundreds of independent activists, journalists, and defenders imprisoned by the regime. His family and the human rights community have worked for his release since his arrest, raising his case with international bodies including the United Nations, the OSCE, states, and international corporations.
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Kate Watters, Executive Director
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