Rufat Safarov and Javid Shiraliyev Start Hunger Strike in Prison

Baku / 22.09.17 / Turan: The former investigator of the Prosecutor's Office Rufat Safarov and the journalist Javid Shiraliyev, who serve prison sentences in Prison No. 9, have been on hunger strike for an indefinite period since September 21, Safarov's mother Tahira Safarova told Turan.

According to her, the protesters protest against the lawlessness in Prison No. 9, including inhuman treatment of the prisoners, unjustified custody in the punishment cell, division of the inmates into privileged and not privileged, and corruption.

Tahira Safarova reported that on September 21 Safarov and Shiraliyev were visited by representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Turan has not received comments from the Penitentiary Service yet.

* Rufat Safarov was an investigator of the Zardab district prosecutor's office. On December 20, 2015, having spread a protest against lawlessness in law enforcement agencies, he resigned. In late December of the same year, a criminal case was launched against Rufat Safarov on charges of taking bribes. In September 2016, by the verdict of the Lankaran Grave Crimes Court, Rufat Safarov was deprived of his liberty for 9 years. Rufat Safarov is the son of a former MP from the ruling New Azerbaijan Party, the former spokesperson of the Defense Ministry Eldar Sabiroglu.

* The editor of www.7gun.az Javid Shiraliyev was sentenced on May 22, 2016 by the Gandja Grave Crimes Court on charges of extortion by threats (articles 182.2.1 and 182.2.4 of the Criminal Code). The journalist rejected the accusations and stated that he was being persecuted for his professional activities. Local human rights organizations recognized him as a political prisoner. -06D--