Elena Sorokina On March 13, 2025, 22 UK members of parliament signed a letter to Helge Lund, the BP board chair, urging him to address Dr. Ibadoghlu’s case.
Citing BP’s significant influence and large investments in the country, the parliamentarians urge Lund to use his unique position of power to raise Dr. Ibadoghlu’s case with the government of Azerbaijan.
“BP enjoys a level of power in Azerbaijan that is unmatched by any other UK institution, and with that power comes clear corporate social responsibility,” says the letter from the lawmakers.
Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, a distinguished economist and anti-corruption activist, was arrested in Baku in 2023. While his trial has been continuously postponed, Ibadoghlu’s health is deteriorating rapidly, and he has been denied urgent medical treatments.
“Dr. Ibadoghlu must be released from house arrest and allowed to leave Azerbaijan to receive medical treatment. Given Dr. Ibadoghlu’s medical condition, we urge you to act swiftly, as any delay could result in a tragic outcome,” says the letter.
As a further incentive to act, the lawmakers cite Dr. Ibadoghlu’s role in promoting transparency in fossil fuel extraction, which, according to the letter, has positively affected BP’s profits.
The letter can be viewed here: PDF