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).
Members of the US Congress appealed to the Secretary of State in connection with the arrest of oppositionist and economist Gubad Ibadoglu in Azerbaijan. According to the brother of the arrested person, Galib Bayramov, the appeal calls for using all diplomatic channels for the unconditional release of former Rutgers University professor Gubad Ibadoglu.
Bayramov noted that Ibadoglu’s health condition is still deteriorating, his illnesses are progressing, and he is not receiving effective medical care.
Earlier, the United States and the European Parliament again called on Azerbaijan to release Gubad Ibadoglu. He was arrested on charges of making counterfeit money. Subsequently, he was also charged with producing, storing or distributing religious extremist materials. He denies the accusations, considering them absurd. Many international organizations and officials also called on official Baku to release the economist.