Penitentiary Service Denies Torture Allegations of Inmate in Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center
Penitentiary Service Denies Torture Allegations of Inmate in Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center
According to reports from "Abzas Media," the inmate in the Baku pre-trial detention facility-, Maleyka Bekirova was allegedly beaten on September 23 by the facility's warden, Adalat Gurbanov, when she attempted to make a phone call. The report claims that Gurbanov took Bekirova from her cell number 35 to an illegally established "punishment cell" and assaulted her. Witnesses allegedly described Gurbanov choking Bekirova and slapping her before throwing her onto a bunk, leaving marks on her face and chest.
However, the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice has refuted these claims. In their response to Turan, they stated that the alleged incident did not occur, emphasizing that Bekirova was not transferred to a punishment cell and that her rights are fully upheld and protected.
This is not the first time such allegations have surfaced. Earlier, on July 31, Ulvi Hasanli, the director of "Abzas Media," highlighted widespread torture practices within the same detention center. In June, Sevinc Vagifgizi, the editor-in-chief of the publication, reported witnessing threats against two female inmates and their placement in solitary confinement.
These ongoing allegations raise significant concerns about the treatment of detainees in Azerbaijan’s penal system.
Politics
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On Friday, the Baku Serious Crimes Court continued the proceedings in the case of opposition politician Tofiq Yagublu. Yagublu's lawyers requested the summons of additional witnesses, including members of the National Council of Democratic Forces, opposition activists, and Yagublu’s wife, Maya Yagublu. Contrary to the prosecution's claims that Yagublu was involved in handing over money to facilitate a visa for Elshan Huseynov in the Zabrat settlement, his lawyers argued that he was actually attending a National Council meeting in the Pirshaghi settlement at that time. Witnesses can confirm this. The court partially granted the request, deciding to call four additional witnesses. The next court session is scheduled for October 18.
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The public "Solidarity Committee for Justice" has addressed Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, requesting assistance in the release of Talysh researcher Iqbal Abilov. The appeal notes that Abilov was born in 1986 in the village of Bala Kolatan in the Masally region and moved to Belarus at the age of seven. He received his higher education in international relations at Belarus State University, completing both a master’s and doctoral program there, and has taught at this institution and the Belarusian Institute of Law.
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