EU Calls for Azerbaijan to Respect Rights Amid Scholar's Detention

Azerbaijan is facing scrutiny from the European Union following the detention of Bahruz Samadov, a prominent scholar and doctoral student at Charles University in Prague. His arrest comes just months before the country is set to host critical U.N. climate talks, raising concerns about the government's treatment of dissenters. Peter Stano, the EU's foreign affairs spokesperson, expressed the bloc's concern over Samadov's case, highlighting the broader trend of arrests targeting journalists and academics in Azerbaijan. Samadov was charged with "treason" after being detained earlier this week, and he could face life imprisonment if convicted. Reports indicate that he plans to initiate a hunger strike following his four-month pre-trial detention. Stano emphasized the alarming increase in detentions of independent voices in Azerbaijan, urging the government to release those imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights and to ensure transparency and due process in legal proceedings. The circumstances surrounding Samadov's arrest involved a raid by security services at his family's home, reflecting the government's crackdown on dissent. At just 28 years old, Samadov had been vocal against Azerbaijan's authoritarian regime and sought to foster connections with activists in Armenia, a country with which Azerbaijan has had a contentious history. Freedom House has criticized Azerbaijan's judicial system, noting the prevalence of flawed cases against opposition figures and activists. The situation underscores the challenges faced by civil society in the country, as numerous individuals have been subjected to dubious charges in recent months.