Talysh researcher Iqbal Abilov to be sent to a closed-type prison for one year

Imprisoned researcher Iqbal Abilov, editor-in-chief of the journal “News of the Talysh National Academy”, is being transferred to a closed-type penitentiary institution for one year. The decision was made on 2 November at the Garadagh District Court.

According to the Committee for the Protection of Iqbal Abilov's Rights, the court considered a motion by Penitentiary Institution No. 12 of the Penitentiary Service to send him to a closed-type prison for three years. A representative of the penitentiary institution joined the hearing, chaired by Judge Teymur Gurbanov, online. The court partially granted the motion and ruled to send Abilov to a closed-type prison for one year.

Speaking in the Talysh language in court, Iqbal Abilov stressed that the disciplinary violation claims brought against him by the penitentiary institution were groundless and that no explanation had been taken from him at all regarding several punishment decisions. He asked for other prisoners to be questioned as witnesses and for surveillance camera footage to be examined in order to verify the claims against him.

Abilov said the pressure applied to him in the penitentiary institution was linked to his speaking Talysh and wearing a T-shirt with a poem written in his native language: “These violate my freedom of expression and prove that I and my native language are subjected to discrimination.” He also said his health deteriorated while he was held in a punishment cell and that his requests for medical assistance and examination were not met.

The researcher, who lives in Belarus, was detained on 22 July 2024 while visiting relatives in Azerbaijan. On 20 May 2025, the Lankaran Serious Crimes Court sentenced him to 18 years in prison. He was charged under articles of the Criminal Code on high treason, public calls against the state, and incitement of national, racial, social or religious hatred and hostility when committed on the instructions of foreign organisations. After his arrest, materials circulated in pro-government media claimed that he had cooperated with Armenian special services.

The Committee for the Protection of Iqbal Abilov's Rights has said that he was not engaged in political activity and only conducted academic research and worked on preserving cultural heritage. Various international human rights organisations, including UN rapporteurs, have recognised Abilov as a political prisoner.