S8 Ep35: Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu imprisoned in Azerbaijan

On today’s podcast, we are joined by Ibad Bayramov, and we discuss the imprisonment of his father, Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, in Azerbaijan. Dr Ibadoghlu is an economics professor who was a visiting professor at the London School of Economics and a leading figure in the opposition in Azerbaijan. In July 2023, he was arrested and held by Azerbaijan authorities while visiting family. He is facing up to 12 years in prison for the production, acquisition, or sale of counterfeit money by an organised group and allegedly possessing extremist material—charges he denies. Find out more about Dr Ibadoghlu at the Gubad Files Website: https://thegubadfiles.com/ You can connect with and follow Ibad here:  https://twitter.com/BayramovIbad Ibad’s sister Zhala is also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BayramovaZhala You can contact Politicians via the links below: Contact your Senator: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm Contact your MP: https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/ You can read more on some of the topics Ibad mentions about the political situation in Azerbaijan Detention of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/61412/detention-of-dr-gubad-ibadoghlu-in-azerbaijan https://www.bushcenter.org/publications/the-struggle-for-freedom-an-azerbaijani-economist-who-stands-up-to-aliyevs-kleptocracy Concerns about Dr Ibadoghlu’s health https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/14/health-of-lse-academic-detained-in-azerbaijan-at-risk-say-family US could do more to help Dr Ibadoghlu https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/08/11/united-states-must-do-more-help-gubad-ibadoghlu/ Doubt about the validity of Azerbaijan’s elections https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68237326 Caviar diplomacy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caviar_diplomacy Pandora Papers https://www.rferl.org/a/pandora-papers-tax-havens/31490744.html https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/oct/03/queen-crown-estate-bought-property-family-azerbaijan-ruler Azerbaijani Laundromat https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/04/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-azerbaijani-laundromat Azerbaijan adopt harsh tactics against the opposition https://eurasianet.org/azerbaijani-government-adopts-still-harsher-tactics-against-opposition Human Rights report on Azerbaijan - Torture and Ill-Treatment in Detention https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/azerbaijan BP and Azerbijan https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/08/bp-projects-have-helped-fund-azerbaijan-military-aggession-say-campaigners UK Gov Risk Guidance on doing business in Azerbaijan https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overseas-business-risk-azerbaijan/overseas-business-risk-azerbaijan Support Secrets and Spies: Become a “Friend of the podcast”  on Patreon for £3 www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996?asc=u   Subscribe to our Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com/ Connect with us on social media. BLUE SKY https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social TWITTER twitter.com/SecretsAndSpies FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/secretsandspies INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/secretsandspies/ SPOUTIBLE   https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies

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Secrets and Spies is an enthralling podcast that guides listeners on an immersive journey into the hidden realm of espionage, terrorism, geopolitics, and international intrigue. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode promises riveting conversations with best-selling authors, historians, journalists, and former intelligence professionals. Secrets and Spies is more than a podcast—it's an intellectual adventure that invites you to join us in deciphering the most enigmatic professions, ideologies, and organizations that shape the global landscape. Tune in for thought-provoking discussions and expert insights with balanced yet critical perspectives that will expand your understanding of our uncertain world. Subscribe to Secrets and Spies today on all major podcast streaming platforms. Our Hosts Host Chris Carr, driven by a teenage encounter with former KGB officer Oleg Gordievsky, brings a unique authenticity to the podcast. His deep-seated fascination with espionage is evident in his highly acclaimed short spy film "The Dry Cleaner," available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime. Currently developing feature film and television scripts inspired by the podcast's themes, Chris aims to create realistic and compelling spy dramas. Joining him is Matt Fulton, a novelist and screenwriter who draws inspiration from masters of the spy genre like John Le Carré, Tom Clancy, and Graham Greene. Author of the “Active Measures” series of globe-trotting geopolitical thrillers, Matt brings his decades of extensive research and narrative prowess to the podcast, offering listeners a front-row seat to the thrilling world of covert operations.