Ilgar Mamedov Put in Punishment Cell (UPDATED)

About 17:00 on August 14 the leader of REAL Movement Ilgar Mamedov, who is serving a sentence in Prison Number 2, was put in solitary confinement.

His lawyer Fuad Agayev told Turan the reason for the punishment is unknown, but it is possible that this is related to today's press announcement by Ilgar Mamedov on the pressure exerted on him in prison.-03B-

2015 August 14 (Friday) 16:40:25

Serving his sentence in Prison No 2, the leader of the movement REAL Ilgar Mamedov reported on new threats to him in the prison.

His declaration publicly reported indicates that for 2.5 years in custody the prison service representatives repeatedly threatened him that if he does not write a statement to the President of Azerbaijan, asking him for pardon, he would not come out of prison alive and healthy.

In particular, Colonel Imran Taghizadeh threatened Mamedov and Mamedov told the court about it in his final statement 1.5 years ago.

"At the same time, the European Court of Human Rights found that, arresting me, the authorities wanted to put an end to my political activities and to silence me," said Mamedov.

In view of the threats he refused of X-ray examination, to which all the convicts are subjected.

"The X-ray exposure is dangerous and could create a danger to health, which cannot be determined immediately. Earlier, when I refused such a survey, I did not encounter problems. Under the pretext of refusing of the survey on August 14 I was summoned by the acting head of the prison Emin Hasanov, who offended me with the worst insults in Russian and threatened to beat me severely and stated that I “sold myself to Europe and should still rejoice” that I was not arrested for treason. I said that, given the potential risk of X-ray examination, I am ready to undergo it with the participation of international experts," Mamedov continued.

After that, according to Mamedov, Hasanov threatened to raise the inmates against him.

"Seeing the growing threat and the generation of problems not only for me, but for other prisoners, I agreed to be examined under the supervision of several other prisoners. However, I received no reply to this offer.

At the last meeting with the leadership they announced a threat to limit my right to telephone conversations. Once again, as the responsibility for my health is at the government, I call on all the related international and local entities to keep the focus of questions about my safety," said Mamedov.

Recall that two weeks ago Mamedov was attacked and hit by another prisoner in the cell.

Our attempt to get comments in the prison service failed.

* On March 17, 2014, Ilgar Mamedov was sentenced to 7 years in prison for organizing riots in Ismayilli on 23-24 January 2013. On May 22, 2014 the European Court of Human Rights declared the detention of Ilgar Mamedov illegal. According to the decision of the European Court, the government of Azerbaijan is to pay compensation of 22,000 Euros to Mamedov. In June 2014 the Sheki Court of Appeal upheld the verdict of the Sheki Court of Grave Crimes. Amnesty International recognized Mamedov a prisoner of conscience. -03B06-