Opening the Plenary Session in Strasbourg, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said that Parliament welcomes the release of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and calls for all charges to be dropped.
Dear colleagues, On Tuesday 29th September 2026 Sakharov Prize finalist Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu landed in Germany from Azerbaijan after being deprived of his freedom for more than three years. This Parliament has long advocated for his release and we welcome this development that will allow him to get the medical treatment he urgently needs and give his loved ones some respite. On behalf of the European Parliament, I want to thank everyone who helped make this possible, particularly Germany for its role in securing his release, reuniting him with his family and providing the care he urgently needs. When Dr Ibadoghlu’s family joined us in this chamber in December 2024, I assured them of the European Parliament’s unwavering solidarity. We reiterate that commitment as we continue to call for all charges to be dropped. This House will continue to stand by him.