Slavoj Žižek and renowned scholars demand freedom for Bahruz Samadov

To Ilham Aliyev, 

We, the undersigned, are concerned about the life and freedom of Azerbaijani Political Scientist Bahruz Samadov and are asking you to commute his sentence. 

On June 23, a court in Baku sentenced Bahruz to 15 years for nothing but his peaceful anti-war stance. Such mistreatment of peaceful activists has no place in Azerbaijan: a modern nation with deep trade and cultural ties to the EU and US. 

Bahruz’s basic rights are being violated right now. He is kept in solitary confinement at the Correctional Facility #11 and threatened with a transfer to the Umbaku prison located 60 kilometers from Baku. The latest facility is known for its brutal conditions. Bahruz already attempted suicide twice while in imprisonment, hence a transfer to the Umbaku prison is a borderline death sentence. Bahruz’s only close relative is his grandmother, who will be unable to visit her only grandson there. 

Despite the recent peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Bahruz’s sentence was not only not revoked but held up in appeal in full. As far as we know, his alleged crime consists solely of contacts with Armenian peaceful activists and students. 

We urge you to continue on a path of peace and mercy. Therefore, we ask you to reconsider Bahruz’s sentence and let him live peacefully. 

With respect, 

Slavoj Žižek, Professor of Philosophy, University of Ljubljana 

Altay Goyushov, Sciences Po, Director of Baku Research Institute

Alessandra Russo, Professor at the University of Trento

Daniil Beilinson, co-founder of Human Rights Organization OVD-Info 

If you are a scholar who wants to join this public appeal, please contact us at contact@freebahruzcampaign.org.