Hilal Mammadov is beaten in pre-trial prison

At night on November 29,  the arrested human rights activist, Hilal Mammadov, was beaten in the cell in prison in Kurdakhani, by a cellmate, and  was injured.

According to Mammadov’s relatives, a prisoner with mental disabilities was placed in his cell two weeks ago. Cellmate behaved inappropriately and aggressively, and Hilal Mammadov could not sleep well.

At night of November 29, Mammadov’s cellmate attacked him at night, and inflicted injuries. Only the intervention of the guards saved him from more severe beating.

The protection  of Hilal Mammadov has repeatedly requested the prison management to remove from the camera the mentally cellmate, but the requests were ignored.

According to the Institute for Peace and Democracy, another group of scientists from different countries joined the appeal to the President Ilham Aliyev to release Hilal Mammadov.

The editor of "Tolishi sado" and the head of the  same name cultural center was charged of espionage, inciting ethnic hatred and drug possession. He was arrested in June 2012.

However, colleagues and the international community has recognized him potential political prisoners, and real reason for his arrest was his  human rights activity. -04В-