Fazil Gasimov is on a 33rd day of hunger strike

Doctoral student at Istanbul University of Economics, economist Fazil Gasimov has been on hunger strike for the 33rd day in Baku pre-trial detention center-1, his lawyer Rovshana Rahimova told Turan.  According to her, this week the preliminary investigation into the Gasimov case will be completed, next week it will be sent to the court for consideration.

She noted that Gasimov's health is getting worse. "He can no longer keep his balance, he has lost a lot of weight, his blood pressure is very low," the lawyer noted. Fazil Gasimov was detained in Türkiye on August 7, 2023 and brought to Azerbaijan and charged under Article 204.3.1 (manufacture, purchase or sale of counterfeit money as part of an organized group) of the Criminal Code. The investigation claims that he handed over fake money to opposition politician Gubad Ibadoglu, who was later arrested.

Recently, Gasimov, in his appeal to the Prosecutor General, the Ombudsman, the local and international community, stated that he gave these statements under torture. He retracted these statements, stating that he had not given Ibadoglu counterfeit money, and had never had discussions with him on FETO (the movement of preacher Fethullah Gulen, recognized in Turkey as a terrorist organization).

Since June 14, Gasimov has been on a hunger strike to protest against unjustified criminal prosecution and torture at the beginning of the investigation.