Bakhtiyar Hajiyev to undergo medical examination in civilian clinic

The Penitentiary Service provided consent for public activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev to undergo a medical examination in a private civilian clinic at the expense of his family.

The examination will be conducted at the end of Gurban Bayram holidays (working days after Gurban Bayram start on 20 June).

This was reported to Turan by Hajiyev's brother Vugar Hajiyev after a telephone conversation with him on 17 June.

According to V. Hajiyev, the activist recently complained of insomnia, problems with the nervous system, headaches and depression.

V. Hajiyev noted that their family is ready to finance possible treatment, which will be prescribed to the activist after examination.

ote that Bakhtiyar Hajiyev was detained on 9 December 2022 in a case initiated on the basis of a complaint by journalist Ulvia Alovlu. He was initially charged under Articles 221 ("hooliganism") and 289 ("contempt of court") of the Criminal Code.

In July 2023, he was charged under Articles 192 ("illegal entrepreneurship"), 193-1 ("legalization of crime proceeds" ) and 206 ("smuggling") of the CC.

On 7 November 2023, he was charged under Article 213.1 of the Criminal Code (evasion of taxes, unemployment, compulsory medical and social insurance payments).

Bakhtiyar Hajiyev denies all charges and says he is being persecuted for criticizing the authorities and calling for international sanctions against Azerbaijani officials and security forces involved in repression.  Human rights activists have recognized him as a political prisoner.