Oppositionist continues hunger strike in prison

Baku/14.09.23/Turan: Activist of the Popular Front Party Agyl Humbatov, recognized by local human rights activists as a political prisoner, has been on hunger strike for the fourth day in prison No. 2.

Humbatov demands release on exculpatory grounds and the solution of his family's social problems, including the restoration of targeted financial assistance, the activist's wife Aygun Humbatova told.

"He is not even allowed to contact his family by phone. Most likely, Agyl was put in the punishment cell, that's why he doesn't call. Because during the previous hunger strikes, he was imprisoned in a penal cell," she said.

Humbatova stated that her husband's demands were not being met. "Today I protested in front of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population. After that, I was received by an employee of the Ministry. I demanded to restore targeted social benefits to our family. I can't support my 3 children, our family is left without a breadwinner. My husband is in prison, I'm looking after young children," she said, adding that the meeting at the ministry was inconclusive. ----03B06---