The administration of the correctional institution advocated for tightening the conditions of detention for Iqbal Abilov.

The court in Baku postponed the consideration of the administration's request from the correctional institution to tighten the conditions of detention for the researcher of Talysh culture, Iqbal Abilov, and to transfer him to a closed-type prison. The defense stated that Abilov had not been informed about the documents regarding the alleged violations attributed to him and the reprimands issued in this regard.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on September 9, it became known that the researcher of Talysh culture, Iqbal Abilov, sentenced to 18 years in prison in Azerbaijan, is experiencing breathing problems and exacerbation of chronic bronchitis against the backdrop of regular placements in a punishment cell.

The administration of correctional institution No. 12 submitted a request to the court to tighten the conditions of detention for Iqbal Abilov and transfer him to a closed prison for a period of three years.

The hearings in the case began on September 14 at the Garadag District Court of Baku, as stated in a message received by the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" from the public Committee for the Protection of Iqbal Abilov's Rights.

During the court session, a 22-page conclusion from the administration of IU-12 regarding "violations by Iqbal Abilov and the reprimands issued to him" was presented.

"However, neither Iqbal Abilov nor his lawyer were informed about what violations and reprimands were being referred to. The administration's request was also not provided to the defense for review and study. Iqbal Abilov stated that he has no idea on what grounds the reprimands were issued to him, as he did not violate the internal regulations of the colony," the press release stated.

The defense requested a postponement of the court session to familiarize themselves with the documents presented by the administration of IU-12 and to study them. The court granted the request and scheduled the next session for October 12.

The court also granted the request to allow Abilov to speak in the Talysh language during the proceedings with the participation of a translator, as stated in the release from the Committee for the Protection of Abilov's Rights.

An employee of the Garadag District Court confirmed to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" that the hearings in Abilov's case are scheduled for October 12.

"Caucasian Knot" currently does not have a comment from the Penitentiary Service of Azerbaijan.

It should be noted that earlier activists expressed concerns that Abilov's frequent placements in the punishment cell are organized with the aim of further tightening his punishment regime with a transfer to a closed-type prison.

As a result of frequent placements in the punishment cell, Abilov's chronic bronchitis has worsened, breathing problems have intensified, and attacks of suffocation have become more frequent. At the same time, he is not provided with the necessary medical assistance, and a possible transfer to a closed-type prison would create additional risks for the health and safety of the scholar, human rights defenders indicated.

They are convinced that the disciplinary measures against Abilov are related to his appearance in court wearing a T-shirt with a poem by Talysh poet Ali Nasir, written in the Talysh language, as well as to media publications about the use of physical force against him in the Baku pre-trial detention center.