Oppositionist holds a hunger strike in jail for the 39th day

Baku/17.03.23/Turan: Zamin Salaev, an activist of the Popular Front Party, has been on hunger strike for the 39th day in the Baku pre-trial detention center-1, demanding release.

Lawyer Neymat Kerimli visited him today. According to him, Salaev's blood pressure is at 80/50, he has pain in his heart and kidneys. The activist lost 26 kg. Salaev is still not being examined by doctors, and he has not been transferred to a medical unit.

The lawyer said that he had met twice with the leadership of the pre-trial detention center about Salaev's hunger strike. The authorities said that a hunger strike is Salaev's right and only if he falls into a coma, he will be forcibly treated.

At the same time, the petition filed by the lawyer for the transfer of Salaev under house arrest at the end of last week has not yet been considered.

Representatives of the Ombudsman also visited Salayev today and held a confidential conversation with him, the press service of the department told Turan. This is the second visit to Salaev by representatives of the Ombudsman since March 11.

"Within the framework of the Ombudsman's mandate, the necessary measures will be taken. As we noted last time, inquiries have been sent to the relevant authorities. As soon as the answers are received, the relevant information will be distributed," Emil Shahzade, head of the press service of the Ombudsman's office, told Turan.

It was not possible to get comments from the Penitentiary Service. ---06B---