PFPA activist claims torture in court

Baku/23.09.21/Turan: Preliminary meeting   on a complaint against the refusal of parole of a member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) Zamin (Alizamin) Salayev  was held  in the Baku Court of Appeal.

The complaint was filed by lawyer Elchin Sadigov against the decision of the Khazar District Court of August 6, which refused to release him after half of the sentence had been served.

At today's court meeting, Salayev spoke about the torture he was subjected to in jail N 17, the lawyer told reporters. And he  was twice beaten by the head of the jail, Shakir Ganiev.

In turn, human rights activist Zafar Ahmedov said that Salayev has been on a hunger strike since September 8.

According to Akhmedov, Salayev was given some documents for his signature in prison. He was offered to sign papers promising early release from prison in return. Otherwise, he was threatened with a new criminal case.

However, Salayev rejected this proposal, and was subjected to severe torture. Salayev was transferred to a punishment cell and was deprived of the opportunity to make phone calls.

“I saw Zamin Salayev in prison. He lost weight. His  health is not good. There is a threat to his life and health. He also had problems with his speech,” said the human rights activist.

Hearings on the merits are scheduled for October 6.

* Salayev was convicted on April 20, 2020 by the Salyan District Court and sentenced to 2 years 3 months in prison on charges of "libel" and "insult" based on a complaint from an officer of the local police department.

The reason for the lawsuit was a video broadcast by Salayev on the Internet, in which he, in a conversation with a police officer, accused him of inducing a 21-year-old local woman to cohabit.

On August 6, the court denied him parole in connection with serving half of the term.

Human rights activists recognize Salayev as a political prisoner. —06B-