Attempts are being made to misinform the international community in the case of Mehman Huseynov

Baku / 01/14/19 / Turan: Blogger Mehman Huseynov continues his hunger strike in Baku pre0trial detention center-1, taking only liquid dairy products, told his brother, the director of the Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS), Emin Huseynov.

The blogger himself was even more isolated and heightened the pressure against the background of reports about the beginning of the hunger strike of solidarity with him by other political prisoners.

Lawyers will be able to visit Mehman only on Wednesday, while the opportunity for phone calls is not given to him, the brother said.

In recent days, the authorities are trying to misinform the international community about a new criminal case against Mehman. From Baku to Washington, Brussels and other capitals dispatches are sent that there is no new criminal case against Mehman and he is not starving.

"There has been a misunderstanding, which is eliminated," the authorities say. Thus, they are trying to prevent decision-making at the upcoming sessions of the European Parliament, the PACE and the OSCE PA. That is why the visit was organized by a delegation of representatives of the EU countries, "said Emin Huseynov.

He stressed that since December 28, Mehman has been in the status of the accused in a new criminal case. If there is no criminal case, why was he transferred to the pre-trial detention center? he said.

He also expressed regret that representatives of the EU and the Red Cross, having visited the blogger, still did not inform his family about the results. "What was the point then in this visit?", Huseynov noted.

He stressed that the IRFS together with partner international human rights organizations is conducting a campaign demanding the release of not only the blogger, but also all other political prisoners. -06B--