Relatives and associates of the religious activist said about his beating in jail

Baku/17.07.23/Turan: Jeyhun Balashov, an activist of the Muslim Unity Movement (MUM) held in Baku pre-trial detention center-1, was subjected to physical pressure in this institution, after which he was placed in the hospital of the Penitentiary Service of Azerbaijan, son of Arif Balashov  said. According to him, the activist was beaten by guards on July 11 and 3 days later transferred to a medical institution of the Penitentiary Service.

"On July 15, I was given a short meeting with my father in the prison hospital. The father said that on July 11 he was beaten by the guards. I saw the bruises on his hands. I didn't see any other body parts. The father was very sluggish, he looked exhausted," the activist's son noted. He said that their family lives in the village of Alinazarli in Beylagan  region.

Jeyhun Balashov was engaged in fruit trading and was arrested on February 2 of this year on charges of large-scale drug trafficking (Article 234.4.3 of the Criminal Code), according to which he faces from 5 to 12 years in prison, his son said.

On July 11, Balashov's trial began in the Lankaran Court for Serious Crimes, and he denied the charges there and said that drugs were planted on him, in turn, Turan was informed in the MUM.

"Jeyhun Balashov has denied the drug charges. He said that the true drug dealers in the country are "known", this protest of his was the reason for the torture of him," the MUM said.

However, the press service of the Penitentiary Service denied the information about Balashov's beating. The department noted that he was transferred to a medical institution due to a "mental condition". "During the examination, no serious pathological changes and signs of violence were found.

Due to the spread of reports on social networks that Balashov's arm was broken and he was subjected to torture, and taking into account the concern of his relatives, on July 15, the son and uncle of Jeyhun Balashov were given meetings with him.

During the meeting, they were provided with detailed information about the  health, the results of the examination, and the medical measures taken. With the participation of a relative,  Jeyhun Balashov's body was examined, signs of mistreatment and violence were not found.

A corresponding act was drawn up with the participation of relatives," the department noted. The press service of the Penitentiary Service also noted that "currently Balashov's treatment continues, he is under the supervision of doctors."

The Union "For Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan" recognized Balashov as a political prisoner. ---06B---