Mehman Huseynov Thanks Public for Support (Video / Photo)

Baku / 03/05/19 / Turan: Blogger Mehman Huseynov at today's press conference told the details of provocations against him in prison. According to him, he was expecting a new criminal case, but did not think that it would be in such an "ugly" form. "Two months before the end of the term of imprisonment, I was accused of beating a prison employee," the blogger said. According to him, in fact, there was no incident of the sort.

M. Huseynov was taken to a punishment cell, representatives of the prosecutor's office announced that a new case was being opened against him and he would face from 7 to 12 years in prison.

"I knew that before there had been similar provocations against other political prisoners, who, shortly before the end of the term, were brought new charges and were re-convicted. Therefore, I immediately declared that I was starting a dry hunger strike. Either the charge will be dismissed, or I will die," said Huseynov.

The hunger strike began on December 26. On December 30, the blogger became ill and almost lost consciousness. "I was told that if I continued my dry hunger strike, they would force-feed me. But by this time my campaign had already given the first results, so I decided to continue the action with water intake," the blogger said. It lasted until January 7. After that he took only liquid dairy products.

Referring to the dissemination of appeals by the Penitentiary Service on his behalf, the blogger said that in one appeal he said he was not responsible for the actions of his brother, who is in political emigration. "We can share the same principles, protect each other, but everyone is responsible for his own actions," he said.

As for the second appeal addressed to President Ilham Aliyev, Mehman was offered to write that the incident with the warden took place, but he repented, wanted reconciliation and asked for indulgence. "I refused to sign such an appeal."

As a result, an appeal was made that he did not consider himself guilty and asked for an objective consideration of his case.

Regarding the visit to Mehman by a group of pro-government activists and their information that the blogger had no complaints, Mehman Huseynov noted that at this meeting he spoke about the falsification of the charges and the need to release him and other political prisoners.

He stressed that the removal of charges against him in a new case was made possible thanks to the active position of the Azerbaijani people, civil society activists, the opposition, protesters and social media campaigns.

At the same time, he thanked the international community, members of the US Congress, the European Parliament and other structures for the support.

M. Huseynov noted that he will continue his blogger work and work to protect the rights of journalists and media.

* Mehman Huseynov was convicted on March 3, 2017 on libel charges against the police. The reason for this was his statement on torture in the Nasimi district police.

Amnesty International recognized him as a "prisoner of conscience." At the end of December, a new charge was brought against him for beating a prison employee. To protest against that, Huseynov announced a dry hunger strike. The threat of a new arrest of the blogger provoked protests from the local public and criticism abroad. The European Parliament called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release the blogger and other political prisoners. After that, the prosecutor's office stopped the criminal case against the blogger. -06D--