Elchin Mammad transferred to another colony instead of a hospital

Baku/17.05.21/Turan: Imprisoned journalist and human rights activist Elchin Mammad was transferred to colony N 16. It happened despite his expected transfer to the Ministry of Justice Medical Institution. This is stated in a report of the "Sumgayit Youth Legal Education Society", the head of which is Mamed. 

Although conditions in colony No. 16 are relatively better than in facility No. 14 where he had previously served his prison sentence, his health condition is severe and he needs serious in-patient treatment. 

Mammad has hepatitis C and prison conditions have a negative impact on his health. 

During his prolonged detention in detention center No. 3 he did not receive any treatment at all and the consequences of his illness have worsened. His legs are swollen, there are problems in his bronchi, and his kidneys have lost their normal function. He has difficulties in moving and breathing. 

Mammad is in need of hospitalization. Staff from the International Committee of the Red Cross who visited the activist last month conveyed their concern for Mammad's health to the colony's management, the report said. 

We should remind that on 17 October 2020. The Sumgayit City Court sentenced Elchin Mammad to four years in prison, finding him guilty of "theft" and "illegal storage of weapons ammunition". 

The human rights defender was arrested in March 2020. He was accused by a woman to whom he had provided legal assistance. Prior to that, this woman had also complained about the editor of the criminal.az website, Anar Mammadov. 

Mammad links the criminal case to his human rights work. Amnesty International, PEN, FİACAT, and others have condemned Mammad's arrest. Local human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner.