23:43, 13 December 2007

Health condition of arrested editor of "Azadlyg" newspaper is worse

Ganimat Zakhidov, arrested editor of the "Azadlyg" newspaper, who is on hunger strike since December 8, is under medical control. His health condition is estimated to be grave.

"Doctors of the Penitentiary Service say that if Zakhidov continues his hunger strike, it will have heavy consequences for his health," Osman Kyasymov, advocate of the editor-in-chief, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Meanwhile, today new participants have joined the journalists' hunger-strike action: Rovshan Gadzily, an employee of the "Azadlyg" newspaper; Zabil Mugabiloglu, a correspondent of the "Eni Musavat" newspaper; and Gasan Kerimov, Deputy Chairman of the Popular Front Party. Thus, the total number of hunger-strikers has reached 10 persons.

Earlier the "Caucasian Knot" reported that the administration of the Bail SIZO (pre-trial detention facility) of the Penitentiary Service, where Ganimat Zakhidov is kept, threatened to feed the journalist by force if he goes on with his hunger strike.

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent