Fazil Gasimov, who has been on hunger strike for 97 days in Pretrial Detention, is under pressure
Fazil Gasimov, who has been on hunger strike for 97 days in Pretrial Detention, is under pressure
Economist and PhD candidate at Istanbul University Fazil Gasimov has been on a hunger strike for 97 days at the Penitentiary Service Medical Facility. On September 17, he was visited by representatives from the Baku office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, according to his lawyer Rovshan Rahimli. The lawyer stated that the Penitentiary Service is applying pressure on Gasimov to end his hunger strike.
"Staff members are subjecting Fazil Gasimov to physical, moral, and psychological pressure. They eat next to him, speak loudly, and behave rudely. He has been placed in the intensive care unit alongside very serious patients," Rahimli noted.
Gasimov's health remains critical. "He can no longer move freely and has lost a significant amount of weight," she added, mentioning that she had faced difficulties gaining access to her client. "A staff member at the facility held me for 50 minutes, attempting to search me. I refused to comply. After that, I was taken to the office of the deputy head of the facility, who stated, 'This is a strategic site; how do we know you haven't brought illegal items?!'"
"I demanded my lawyer's ID back and expressed my intention to leave, saying I would file a complaint. After that, I was allowed to meet with Fazil without a search," Rahimli said.
In turn, the Penitentiary Service reported that persons entering penitentiary institutions, including lawyers, are involved in relevant verification and screening activities, based on the requirements of the legislation on the execution of punishments.
"On September 17, lawyer Rovshan Ragimli was involved in a such procedure.
In addition, we inform that the arrested Fazil Gasimov is not being held in the intensive care unit, and other characteristics mentioned by the laüyer do not reflect the truth, since the places where the prisoner and the staff receive food are different.
The convicted and arrested persons, as well as his employees, did not commit illegal actions against Fazil Gasimov, his rights are guaranteed and his legitimate interests are protected," the Penitentiary Service noted.
*Fazil Gasimov, who is being held in the sanitary-medical unit of Baku's Detention Center No. 1, was transferred to the Penitentiary Service sanatorium due to a sharp deterioration in his health from the hunger strike on July 26.
He was arrested in Istanbul on August 8, 2023, and brought back to Azerbaijan, where he was accused of producing counterfeit money along with prominent economist and government critic Gubad Ibadoglu.
Currently, Gasimov's criminal case is being handled separately from that of Gubad Ibadoglu. Another hearing in Gasimov's case is scheduled for September 19 at the Baku Serious Crimes Court.
Politics
-
Today, the Milli Majlis adopted in the first reading amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses to tighten responsibility for environmental pollution. Thus, the fine for dumping waste and other items overboard from a vessel has increased from 30 to 300 manats. For littering roads from vehicles or polluting roads, individuals will face fines of 200 manats, officials 1,000 manats, and legal entities 4,000 manats.
-
At the meeting of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 8, a draft resolution was discussed regarding the election of heads of working groups of the Milli Majlis on interparliamentary relations. During the meeting, deputies once again criticized the U.S. At the same time, a working group on interparliamentary relations with America was elected, headed by Samad Seyidov. He stated that relations with the U.S. should be reevaluated, including in the defense sector.
-
The European Union and its Member States strongly condemn Russia’s intensifying campaign of hybrid activities against the EU, its Member States and partners. These activities again illustrate Russia’s reckless and irresponsible behavior and its disregard for the rules-based international order and international law.
-
A bilateral meeting between the Russian and Azerbaijani Presidents with the participation of delegations began at noon on 8 October in Moscow within the framework of the CIS heads of state summit.
Leave a review