Fazil Gasymov continues 19-day hunger strike in pre-trial detention centre

Fazil Gasymov, a doctoral student of Istanbul University, economist and scientist, who is under arrest, has been on hunger strike for 19 days in Baku SIZO-1.

This was reported to Turan by his brother Nazim Gasymov.

He spoke to his brother on the phone last night.

"My brother's condition is very serious. Despite the hunger strike, he is kept in a general cell. However, he is under medical observation. Doctors periodically measure his blood pressure. Yesterday his blood pressure was 70/50. Fazil's health has weakened. His voice sounded very quiet. When he entered the detention centre he weighed 80 kg. Now his weight is 60kg," Gasymov said.

According to him, F.Gasymov refuses medicines and nutrients.

"I persistently asked Fazil to stop his hunger strike. But he is implacable. He intends to continue his hunger strike until the end," Gasymov said.

Gasymov's lawyer Rovshana Rahimova told Turan that the defense has filed an appeal against the refusal to place the economist under house arrest.

Fazil Gasymov, a doctoral student at Istanbul University and economist, was detained last August in Turkey and taken to Azerbaijan, where he was accused of making counterfeit money. The pro-government media reported at the time that his arrest was linked to the case of opposition politician Gubad Ibadoglu, who faced similar charges.