Tofig Gasimov

A member of the opposition Musavat Party and an outspoken critic of Azerbajain President Heydar Aliyev, Gasimov was jailed on accusations of providing "ideological support" for the 1995 Azerbaijani coup attempt.

[2][3] Human Rights Watch described the government's evidence against Gasimov as "shoddy" and Amnesty has raised concerns that the charges were fabricated.

Gasimov continued with his post graduate studies at Physics Institute of USSR Academy of Sciences and in 1969, he obtained his PhD degree.

Gasimov was credited for his role disseminating the truth about the Black January, refugees to more than 100 TV, radio channels as well as to international media.

[1] During his term, Gasimov signed MOU with UN representatives that led to establishment of Azerbaijan's permanent mission to United Nations.