Azerbaijani oppositionist Rzaev claims torture in isolation facility

Malik Rzaev, an oppositionist accused of drug dealing, has stated that he was tortured after detention. His complaint about torture was forwarded to the Sumgait Prosecutor's Office, said his advocate.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 5 the advocate of Malik Rzaev said that he could not visit his client. Rzaev's relatives disagree with the accusations and believe that the real reason for his arrest is in his criticism of Azerbaijani authorities. Rzaev's advocate and activists have expressed concern that his torture could be the reason for non-admission of the advocate to him.

Afghan Mukhtarly, an Azerbaijani investigative journalist living in Germany, has received information from Rzaev's relatives living in Azerbaijan that the activist was tortured by law enforcers. Mukhtarly told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about it.

"They demanded from Malik Rzaev to confirm that the drugs found on him belonged to him. When he refused to do it, they began spreading his legs into a split and forced him to stay in this posture. By causing unbearable pain to him, they forced him to sign a testimony that he had allegedly bought the drugs from a certain Rauf, who is now dead," Mr Mukhtarly said referring to Malik's relatives.

He claims that the advocate was allowed to visit Rzaev only two weeks later, "when the traces of violence disappeared."

Nemat Kerimli, an advocate for Rzaev, has confirmed that he was able to visit his client only on November 10.

According to Kerimli, Rzaev told him about "sophisticated torture." "Malik Rzaev was brutally beaten up, his legs were parted into splits; they threatened to rape him with a foreign object. Under such pressure, he was forced to testify about the allegedly found drugs on him," the advocate has stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 12, 2021 at 11:18 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.