Humanitarian Crisis over Political Prisoners

Illegal detention of Fouad Ahmadli is a humanitarian crisis both for him and his family.

This article has been prepared on the example of a political prisoner. The goal is to outline the humanitarian crisis created by the power around the political prisoners...

Even before his arrest, August 18, 2016, Fouad Ahmadli for several years suffered from serious health problems. In 2014, he underwent surgery on his lungs. After the operation he was fed on a special regime, and on the advice of doctors. He was constantly under medical supervision, receiving appropriate treatment. Detention prevented him from receiving specialized medical care and a special diet. The nurses in the detention center have no possibility to provide Fouad with the necessary medical care. As a result, his health has rapidly deteriorated. The lawyer repeatedly said in court that his disease does not allow keeping Fouad in detention. Despite all this, the court chose preventive punishment arrest against him, and later extended it twice. The courts did not satisfy the lawyer’s petition to replace the arrest by home arrest. The lawyer filed a petition to the investigation with a request to hold forensics against Fouad to identify his conditions in custody. Despite the fact that the statutory response time ran out, the investigation has not yet expressed its attitude to the application. The defense came to the view that the investigation is informed about the seriousness of the problems with Fouad’s health. For this reason, they do not wish the examination, so as not to give make the matter formal. This fact demonstrates that Fouad’s life is under serious threat.

The arrest and prolonged detention of Fouad is a humanitarian crisis not only for him, but also for all the members of his family. In the middle of last year for participating in rallies and political activities Fouad Ahmadli was twice detained administratively for a total of 35 days. Psychologically, these arrests have influenced his mother, who got ill with diabetes, which escalated after the third arrest of Fouad.

Fouad’s father Zafar Ahmadli has been engaged in opposition political activities for a long time. This has become a stumbling block for his constant job, and therefore for his stable earnings. For this reason, Zafar Ahmadli has not worked for many years, and the family lived on Fouad’s wages. Since Fouad’s arrest the family lives on the limited aid provided by relatives. Due to the lack of income, Fouad's mother cannot get the necessary treatment. Sustaining the health of Fouad himself also requires money. The food given to Fouad in custody is very dangerous for his health. Due to financial problems, Fouad cannot buy the necessary medicines. The family is unable to pay the lawyer, who carries out his defense for more than five months, for services. Over the entire period of stay in detention the measure of restraint against Fouad was changed seven times. The investigators were sent numerous petitions. Fouad’s status includes visits by his lawyer at least twice a week. Due to the fact that the detention center is located in the countryside, it is fraught with the loss of time and money.

Another big humanitarian crisis also expects Fouad’s family. The apartment they live was bought on a mortgage loan, which was paid due to Fouad’s salary. After his arrest, the payment was stopped. The family is unable to repay the loan. As a result, the bank filed a lawsuit against Fouad. After that the family will be demanded to withdraw from the apartment, which will be auctioned then. As a rule, the courts meet such claims. After the sale of the apartment the family will lose the roof over their heads. They simply do not have any other property.