Fazil Gasymov starves for 53 days

Health conditions of economist Fazil Gasymov, who has been on hunger strike for 53 days, continues to deteriorate.

Gasymov, who is detained in the medical facility of the Penitentiary Service, protests against the "unjust arrest" and is determined to continue his hunger strike. The economist's brother Nazim Gasymov told Turan on 5 August after a telephone conversation with him.

"My brother's voice is practically inaudible. His general condition is grave. He is kept in a separate room, under supervision. Even worse, he is not regularly measured for blood pressure, pulse, temperature and weight. The doctor comes when Fazil himself requests it. Last time he weighed 49 kg. Before the hunger strike he weighed 67 kg.

Fazil reported severe pains in his head, kidneys and heart, and cramps in his legs," his brother said.

Since last week, Gasymov has been drinking water sweetened with honey, which is allowed by the Ministry of Justice's instructions for people on hunger strike in detention center.

It was not possible to get a comment from the penitentiary service.

* Fazil Gasymov was detained in Turkey on 7 August 2023, brought to Azerbaijan and charged under Article 204.3.1 (making, buying or selling counterfeit money as part of an organised group) of the Criminal Code.

The investigation claims that he was the one who passed the counterfeit money to opposition politician Gubad Ibadoglu, who had later been arrested.

Recently, Gasymov, in his appeal to the Prosecutor General, the Ombudsman, the local and international community, stated that he gave these statements under torture. He denied these statements as saying 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, Gasymov has been on a hunger strike to protest against unjustified criminal prosecution and torture at the beginning of the investigation.