The convicted economist in Azerbaijan asked von der Leyen and Vance for assistance in his release.
Economist Fazil Gasimov, who is imprisoned in Azerbaijan, appealed to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, asking for assistance in his release and ensuring his safety. Gasimov believes his criminal prosecution is politically motivated and stated that he has been subjected to violence while in custody.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on March 13, 2025, a court in Baku sentenced economist Fazil Gasimov to nine years in prison for counterfeiting money. The defense called the verdict unfair and promised to appeal it. On September 29, 2025, the Baku Court of Appeals upheld the sentence.
In August 2023, Fazil Gasimov was detained in Turkey and brought to Azerbaijan, where he was arrested on charges of counterfeiting money. Gasimov believes his criminal case is revenge for the materials on corruption in Azerbaijan that he prepared together with Gubad Ibadoglu. There was another defendant in the case – Anar Aliyev, who testified against Gasimov. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
Imprisoned economist Fazil Gasimov appealed to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, asking for assistance in his release and ensuring his safety. In his appeals, copies of which were provided to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" by the economist's relatives, he points to the political motives behind his prosecution in Azerbaijan.
"I hope that you will help me escape from the hostages in the Azerbaijani prison, where I have been illegally held for 3 years," Gasimov writes in his appeal to von der Leyen. The scholar notes that he does not recognize the charges against him of counterfeiting or selling fake money.
He linked his arrest to a joint initiative with economist Gubad Ibadoglu to create a Fund for the Education of Azerbaijani Youth in London. According to Gasimov, this initiative angered the Azerbaijani authorities, as it implied funding the fund from the proceeds of the alleged confiscation of property belonging to Azerbaijani officials abroad.
Politician and economist Gubad Ibadoglu was arrested in July 2023 and charged with currency smuggling and calls for extremism. In April 2024, Ibadoglu was placed under house arrest. The defense has repeatedly stated the need for the scholar to receive treatment abroad due to deteriorating health in custody, but the court prohibited him from leaving Azerbaijan.
Gasimov also claims that during the investigation he was subjected to violence and poisoning with psychotropic substances. The appeals also note that during the investigation and trial, the defense's rights to access material evidence were restricted, and some video materials were destroyed. Gasimov writes that in penitentiary institutions he faced inhumane treatment and physical violence.
"Since I am currently under existential threat, I appeal to you for help in escaping from the hostages, continuing my scientific work, and ensuring my safety," Gasimov notes in his message.
He points out that the pressure on him has intensified even more after he, along with other convicts, created a Committee for the Protection of Political Prisoners.
Six prisoners from colony No. 2 in Baku announced the creation of the "Committee for the Protection of Political Prisoners" on November 24, 2025. The decision to create such a group was made considering that human rights violations in Azerbaijan "have reached a critical level and have become systematic," according to a statement released by the initiative. The statement was signed by investigative journalist Hafiz Babaly, economist Fazil Gasimov, trade union activist Afiyaddin Mamedov, former political émigré Samir Ashurov, activist Lachin Veliev, and member of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Mehman Aliyev. After the announcement of the organization's creation, the members of the KZPP faced pressure, threats, and obstacles in communicating with their relatives.
It is noted that in January, Fazil Gasimov complained about physical violence from the staff of the correctional facility. In May 2025, he went on a hunger strike in protest against the cruel treatment, and in June he complained about being beaten by guards.