On 34th day of hunger strike, Afghan Sadygov's health condition is still worse

Afghan Sadygov, a journalist, has been on his hunger strike at the SIZO (pre-trial prison) for 34 days already; and doctors have noted that his health condition has worsened, said his advocate, while his colleagues have noted that his persecution is clearly political in nature.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 3, Sadygov was sentenced to seven years in prison. The next day, the journalist went on a hunger strike, and on November 23 he even refused to drink water.

Elchin Sadygov, Afghan's advocate, said on December 7 that his client's health condition had worsened even more. "The hunger strike continues. Doctors tell nothing to his family. I talked to doctors, and they said that his condition didn't improve, but become even worse," Elchin Sadygov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The advocate said that he personally saw Afghan Sadygov on December 4 at the SIZO. "His family members can't see him for long, because Afghan cannot come to the meeting. He can't walk," the advocate has explained.

Azerbaijani courts are not independent; therefore, it's not worth expecting that they will make any independent decisions in Afghan Sadygov's case, said Mekhman Aliev, Director of the "Turan" News Agency.

"In our country, unfortunately, courts are fulfilling, especially with regard to journalists, political and public figures, authorities' orders. All decisions are made at the political level. Afghan Sadygov was accused of extorting a bribe, but there are no serious proofs as such. I think his prosecution has to do with his publications and harsh criticism of authorities; and everything is based on this," Mekhman Aliev told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 7, 2020 at 07:20 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.