Zamin Salayev & Polad Aslanov
Political prisoners started a hunger strike ahead of COP29
The head of the Salyan district organization of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), political prisoner Zamin Salayev, began a hunger strike on October 30 at the Penitentiary Service’s medical facility where he is being held. He is protesting the failure to release individuals recognized as political prisoners ahead of the COP29 conference.
Due to his severe health condition, he was transferred to the Penitentiary Service’s medical facility.
His family reported that Zamin Salayev has serious heart and liver problems. He experiences shortness of breath, is unable to breathe properly, his legs are swollen, and he cannot walk.
Zamin Salayev was detained on February 7, 2023.
He was found guilty under Article 221.3 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism – use of weapons or items used as weapons to apply force to the victim). On May 22, 2023, the Garadagh District Court, presided over by Judge Rufan Mursalov, sentenced Zamin Salayev to 4 years of imprisonment.
Salayev believes his imprisonment was orchestrated and has previously gone on a hunger strike in protest of the court’s verdict.
The imprisoned head of the Xeberman.com website, journalist Polad Aslanov, has also begun a hunger strike at Baku Prison No. 1, demanding the release of political prisoners ahead of the COP29 conference. Two other inmates held at the same prison, Vali Yagubov and Ramal Huseynov, have joined Aslanov’s hunger strike.[1]
After Polad Aslanov declared a hunger strike, he was transferred from Prison No. 1 to Prison No. 15.[2] His wife stated that the conditions in that prison are worse.
[1] https://turan.az/en/politics/polad-aslanov-starts-hunger-strike-demanding-release-of-political-prisoners-786509
[2] https://turan.az/en/politics/polad-aslanov-forcibly-transferred-to-penitentiary-service-hospital-786558
Follow the link to read the statement in more detail.
