Elena Patyaeva—a friend of Seda Suleymanova, who disappeared three years ago after being forcibly returned from St. Petersburg to Chechnya—was detained in Grozny. On August 23, Patyaeva stood by the monument to journalists who died for freedom of speech, holding a sign that read: "I demand an investigation into the murder of Seda Suleymanova." This was reported by the human rights project "Slovo Zashchite" (Word for the Defense).
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the case of oppositionist and economist Gubad Ibadoglu, who was arrested in Azerbaijan. The document condemns his criminal prosecution on trumped-up and politically motivated charges, and also calls for sanctions against Azerbaijani officials.
In addition, the United States called on the Azerbaijani government to release Gubad Ibadoglu. “We are concerned about his arrest and call for his immediate release,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. Several US lawmakers also called on Baku to release Ibadoglu on humanitarian grounds.
Gubad Ibadoglu was arrested on charges of making counterfeit money. Subsequently, he was also charged with producing, storing or distributing religious extremist materials. The defendant denies the charges, considering them absurd. Many international organizations and officials called on official Baku to release the politician.