IMPA researcher Mikhail Verbitskiy is arrested in Armenia at Russia’s request

IMPA (Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics) wishes to publicly express its deep concern and dismay over the arrest of the Institute’s researcher, the Russian mathematician Mikhail Verbitskiy, which took place on Thursday (the 11th) at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, Armenia.

Mikhail Verbitskiy, an internationally renowned researcher who has made fundamental contributions to complex geometry and hyper-Kähler varieties, has been a member of the IMPA faculty since 2017. In Brazil, he plays a vital role in training new scientists and advancing cutting-edge mathematical research.

According to information available so far, Verbitskiy’s arrest is based on a Russian wanted list stemming from politically motivated charges.

IMPA formally requests that the Armenian authorities proceed with his immediate release, allowing him to return safely to Brazil to resume his academic activities.

As a leading scientific institution, IMPA reaffirms that the free exercise of thought and the safety of its researchers are non-negotiable pillars for the advancement of global science.