Line of Defense: Journalists on 83-day Hunger Strike Not Guaranteed

Baku/26.01.21/Turan: “The Azerbaijani government should pay special attention to ensuring the rights of Afgan Sadigov, given that the criminal charges were inspired by his critical publications. This is stated in the statement of the human rights organization Line of Defense, which reminds that January 26 marks 83 days of his hunger strike.

He protests against the unjust sentence handed down to him. On November 3, 2020, the Baku Grave Crimes Court found him guilty of extortion and sentenced him to 7 years in prison.

Sadigov appealed against the verdict, considering it unfounded and ordered. Consideration of the appeal began in December last year, and the trial was postponed several times. The last time the Sumgait Court of Appeal said that the complaint would be considered on January 28.

The journalist went on a hunger strike in the courtroom on November 3, 2020.

According to his wife, Sadigov fell into a coma on January 21 and was connected to an artificial life apparatus. He had previously been injected with nutrients through an IV.

The Line of Defense expressed deep concern over the dangerous state of Afgan Sadigov and casts doubt on the objective examination of the complaint of A. Sadigov in the Sumgait Court of Appeal.

“Human rights activists do not doubt that the head of the executive power of the city of Sumgayit, Zakir Farajov, who is one of the objects of harsh criticism of Sadigov and the main customer of his arrest, has a great influence on law enforcement agencies, the investigation and courts of Sumgayit,” the statement said. –06D-