Health of I.Amiraslanov who is on hunger strike in jail deteriorates

Today is the second day of the hunger  strike of   Ilham Amiraslanov, an activist of Kura Civil Society, who is serving his term in prison  N5 ( in the village of  Khalaj.) He is protesting against the violation of his rights. According to Amiraslanov’s relatives,  on  August 23, he was twice summoned the head of the  jail and asked to stop the hunger strike. In connection with the hunger strike Amiraslanov was not placed in an isolated room, and was not provided with a doctor. Amiraslanov  does not even take water.  He feels dizziness and lethargy.

Amiraslanov complained of a violation of his rights, in particular, ignoring his requests  to transfer him to other settlement in jail  because  he  had  served third part of his sentence,  and to release him on parole on  expiration of half term.

He believes that the biased decision against him was politically motivated.

"When I say that I am a political prisoner the authorities deny it. But at the same time, since my requests  on parole are ignored, they say that "it is not up to us." Thus, they recognize that I'm a political prisoner, "  said Amiraslanov’s relatives citing his words.

Amiraslanov  called on representatives of international organizations to visit him in prison and said he would  continue a hunger strike until  his rights are restored.

* Ilham Amiraslanov  is known as a principled and consistent fighter for the rights of people affected by floods in 2010. In early June 2012, he was arrested on charges of illegal possession of weapons and was tortured.

On September 13, the  Sabirabad  District Court sentenced  Amiraslanov to two years in prison on charges of illegal possession of weapons (Article 228.1 of the Criminal Code). On  January 25, 2013 Shirvan Court of Appeal upheld the verdict in force. Amnesty International recognized Amiraslanov as a "prisoner of conscience". -06B –