The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Azerbaijan,

–  having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas since the beginning of 2025, the number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan has surged to almost 400 individuals, arbitrarily detained on politically motivated charges, among them civil society activists, opposition leaders, journalists, academics, and human rights defenders;

B.  whereas Igbal Abilov, a Talysh ethnic minority researcher and editor-in-chief of Talysh National Academy News, and Bahruz Samadov, a PhD student at Charles University, were sentenced to 18 and 15 years’ imprisonment respectively on charges of high treason;

C.  whereas the trials of both academics were held behind closed doors, in violation of international fair trial standards and the presumption of innocence; whereas the alleged evidence consisted solely of contacts and exchanges with Armenian scholars; whereas their health condition has deteriorated during imprisonment;

D.  whereas these cases follow the unjust and arbitrary sentencing of two other academics, Gubad Ibadoghlu and Fazil Gasimov;

E.  whereas on 1 December 2025, prominent opposition leader Ali Karimli was arrested on alleged coup charges as part of the ongoing consolidation of authoritarian practices in Azerbaijan;

1.  Strongly condemns the arrest, prosecution and sentencing of Bahruz Samadov and Igbal Abilov on politically motivated charges;

2.  Calls on Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, in particular Mr Samadov, Mr Abilov and Mr Ibadoghlu, guarantee fair trials and due process, and end repression against journalists, activists, academics, opposition representatives, human right defenders and other unlawfully detained individuals, including those in exile;

3.  Condemns in the strongest possible terms the arrest of Ali Karimli and calls for his immediate release;

4.  Expresses particular alarm at the misuse of national security provisions as tools for judicial harassment, intimidation, and the criminalisation of freedom of expression, peace advocacy and public criticism; expresses deep concern at the continuing erosion of academic freedoms and cultural rights in Azerbaijan;

5.  Calls on Azerbaijan to respect and align its legislation with international human rights obligations and standards, including those related to freedom of expression and academic freedom;

6.  Calls for the consideration of appropriate measures within the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against relevant responsible officials;

7.  Calls on the EU Delegation in Baku to monitor the aforementioned cases and on the EU Human Rights Special Representative to conduct meetings with the detained academics;

8.  Calls for the EU to further support human rights and democratic governance in Azerbaijan, including by increasing support for civil society, and ensure that diplomatic engagement remains consistent with the EU’s core values;

9.  Stresses that progress on any future partnership agreement should be conditional on tangible advancements in human rights, the rule of law and respect for EU values and principles, including the release of political detainees and the lifting of restrictive legislation, as stated in Parliament’s previous resolutions;

10.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Member States and the President, Government and Parliament of Azerbaijan.