South Azerbaijani activist and world champion Karim Ismayilzade reportedly complied with a summons issued by the Tabriz Prosecutor’s Office and appeared before authorities on October 20, 2025. Since that date, he has been missing, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Mr. Ismayilzade had been summoned to the 10th Investigative Division of the Tabriz Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office pursuant to an official notice dated October 15, 2025, which required him to appear and provide a statement within five days.

The summons alleged that he had engaged in “spreading false information with the intent to mislead public opinion” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Karim Ismayilzade is known for his environmental and civic activism, particularly his efforts to raise awareness regarding the desiccation of Lake Urmia and the resulting salt storms affecting the region. He was just released from Prison a few months earlier.