03 November 2005, 22:35
Oppositionist loses consciousness because of torture
The life of an arrested supporter of Azerbaijan's ex parliament speaker Rasul Guliyev, former Gyanja police chief Natiq Efendiyev, has been put at risk. He is currently unconscious. According to Mr Efendiyev's lawyer, Vugar Khasiyev, the condition of his client is really grave. The law provides for a person accused of a crime to be transferred to prison within 24 hours of being charged. However, Natiq Efendiyev continues to be kept in the Main Department for the Combating of Organised Crime. "I will solicit a medical examination of Mr Efendiyev," the lawyer told Caucasian Knot's correspondent.
According to some information received by the Institute of Peace and Democracy at 6:40 p.m. on 3 November 2005, Natiq Efendiyev, a former political prisoner and a deputy chairman of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, chaired by Rasul Guliyev, was tortured in the Department for the Combating of Organised Crime of Azerbaijan's Internal Affairs Ministry. Mr Efendiyev was cruelly beaten, with his internal organs injured; he was also tortured with electricity.
On 16 October, Natiq Efendiyev was arrested for 15 days on a charge of resistance to the Azerbaijani police. A charge of preparation of a coup-d'etat and unrest was brought against him on 31 October.
