23:57, 26 July 2019

Advocate tells about hunger strike of Gasanov, Azerbaijani oppositionist

The state of health of Azad Gasanov, an activist of the "Musavat" Party, who is conducting his hunger strike for the fourth day at the Baku SIZO (pre-trial prison), has deteriorated. He is protesting against the protraction of his trial, which has been on for more than six months, said his advocate.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Azad Gasanov, a political emigrant, was arrested on October 12, 2018, after returning to Azerbaijan from Lithuania. He has stated that he had agreed with the accusation of illegal drug dealing under the threat of torture.

Rights defenders have declared Azad Gasanov to be a political prisoner. Under the article of "large-scale illegal drug dealing", he faces from 5 to 12 years of imprisonment.

"Azad Gasanov looks very sluggish and complains of dizziness," said Osman Kyazimov, his advocate, noting that the investigation was conducted with gross violations of the law.

However, the public relations division of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service denies Gasanov's hunger strike.

Earlier, the advocate has asserted that Gasanov was persecuted for political reasons. He had been a member of the "Musavat" Party since 2003 and actively participated in the protests, said Mustafa Gadjibeili, the head of the party's press service. According to his story, in 2014, fearing repressions, Gasanov received political asylum in Lithuania.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 26, 2019 at 05:20 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Faik Medjid

Source: CK correspondent