Muslim Unity Declared New Torture of Its Leaders

Baku / 01.28.19 / Turan: The Muslim Unity Movement (MUM) made a statement, announcing a threat to the lives of its arrested leaders.

In particular, it is reported that the leader of MUM, Taleh Bagirzadeh and members of the Board of the organization have recently been subjected to "unprecedented pressure".

So, Taleh Bagirzadeh has been placed in a cell with mentally and physically ill convicts who threaten him and others.

"The convict placed in the cell of Taleh Bagirzadeh had previously tried to set fire to a former cellmate in bed. This person manages his natural needs right in bed, which creates a basis for infection," the statement said.

Other members of the MUM Board are verbally and physically abused, provoked to conflicts with other convicts, deprived of elementary rights, and when they protest, they are punished by going to a punishment cell.

Abbas Hussein and Jabbar Jabbarov are particularly hard pressed.

The statement states that if the pressure does not cease, the convicts will begin an indefinite-term hunger strike.

In recent days, the media reported on Bagirzadeh's injury made to him himself due to ill-treatment.

In early January, Abbas Huseynov was transferred to Detention Center No. 1 after a brutal beating in the Gobustan prison.

Bagirzadeh and Huseynov were detained during a special operation in Nardaran in November 2015 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. At the same time, about 50 members and supporters of MUM were sentenced to long terms. Local human rights organizations recognize all the convicts as political prisoners.

In turn, the Prison Service told Turan that reports of torture and pressure are unfounded. -06D--