Igbal Abilov, a 36 year old Azerbaijani scholar and lecturer at Belarusian State University, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison in Azerbaijan for allegedly committing high treason. His crime: online communication via Skype with Armenian academic Professor Garnik Asatrian, a linguist and cultural researcher.

Abilov, known for his research on Talysh culture, was arrested in July 2024. Authorities claimed that his contact with Asatrian incited interethnic hostility and labeled it collaboration with Armenian special services.

His father, Shahib Abilov, maintains that Igbal was innocent and only engaged in pure academic dialogue. The arrest highlights a broader crackdown on intellectuals and activists as Azerbaijan tightens control amid ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan tensions, particularly after the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war and subsequent military actions.

Human rights groups and academics worldwide are now questioning whether academic freedom still exists in politically tense regions.