Four activists in Agdash join hunger strike demanding release of political prisoners

Baku/13.01.23/Turan: On January 13, in the Agdash region, 4 local activists joined the hunger strike started by Tofik Yagublu and Bakhtiyar Hajiyev. They are members of the regional organization of the Popular Front Party: Gorkhmaz Abdurrahimov, Mazahir Rahimov, Rovshan Rahimov and public figure Nusrat Khasratli. "We demand the release of Tofig Yagublu and all political prisoners," the   statement of the PFPA's Agdash regional organization. Thus, the total number of hunger strikers reached 18 people: Tofig Yagublu, who is in the hospital, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev is in a pre-trial detention center, 11 activists are on hunger strike at the headquarters of the Musavat party, 4 in the Agdash region, and Tofik Yagublu's wife is in her house.

Maya Yagublu stated that she was determined to continue the action, despite serious health problems. “I have severe pain in my head and kidneys, my blood pressure dropped sharply, constant dizziness. Despite all this, I will continue the action. If Tofig dies, I will die with him,” Maya Yagublu told Turan. On January 13, Doctor of Medicine Adyl Geybulla visited Tofig Yagublu in Baku Hospital No. 6.

"His life is not in danger, his blood pressure and pulse have stabilized. He has lost some weight, is conscious and can communicate. We talked a lot," the doctor said.

On January 12, Babek Hasanov, a PFPA activist who is on a hunger strike at the "Musavat" headquarters, in turn, said that the protesters underwent a medical examination. All participants will continue the action despite high or no pressure. "We will starve until our demands are met," he said.

* Tofig Yagublu was detained in the center of Baku on December 23 during a protest action demanding the release of human rights activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev.

On the same day, the Sabail District Court found him guilty of disobedience to the police and hooliganism and arrested him for 30 days. On January 5, the Baku Court of Appeal rejected his appeal and Yagublu went on a hunger strike.

On December 9, the Khatai District Court of Baku arrested activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev  also on charges of hooliganism and contempt of court. The arrest of Hajiyev caused widespread criticism and, at the initiative of the human rights organization Line of Defense, on December 23, activists held a protest rally, where Tofik Yagublu was detained.

After the arrest, Bakhtiyar Hajiyev began a hunger strike, which lasted 14 days. He was convinced that the authorities were ready to let him go and he stopped the action. However, on January 9, the court did not release him, and the activists resumed their hunger strike.

On January 9, US State Department spokesman Ned Price expressed deep concern over the arrest of Bakhtiyar Hajiyev and Tofig Yagublu. “We call on the authorities to release them as soon as possible,” he said. ---03B---