Jailed Russian mathematician Azat Miftakhov solves problem from prison, publishes it in French journal

French mathematical journal Revue de la Filière Mathématiques (RMS) has published a paper by imprisoned Russian mathematician Azat Miftakhov, who worked out a problem while in prison. The article, titled "La conjecture de Chui dans un cadre hilbertien," appeared in the journal's June-August 2026 issue and was the first original research piece in that edition.

Miftakhov's support group announced the publication. The work was facilitated by French mathematician Bernard Randé, who presented Miftakhov with a modified version of an unsolved mathematical problem called Chui's conjecture. Miftakhov, a graduate student at Moscow State University, worked on the problem while in a Dimitrovgrad prison, where he had limited access to the internet, scientific resources, and other mathematicians.

After four months, he solved the problem and Randé helped prepare the result for publication in French. The University of Pisa formally invited Miftakhov to present his findings at a seminar in April 2027. Miftakhov, who was initially arrested in 2019 for attacking a United Russia office, has faced multiple legal charges related to anarchist activities.

He was released from prison in September 2023 but was detained again in a separate case of "justifying terrorism" based on an alleged conversation with another inmate, who later died in Ukraine. While in prison, Miftakhov reported severe torture at the Polar Owl penal colony, where he was transferred after completing his prison sentence.