Azerbaijani opposition parties demand to release activist Salekh Rustamov

In Azerbaijan, several political parties demand to release activist Salekh Rustamov, who is on a hunger strike in a prison hospital. An advocate has visited the activist today and reported about the deterioration of the Salekh Rustamov’s health state.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on November 6, Salekh Rustamov, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), went on a hunger strike in protest against the fact that he was not affected by the amnesty. On the 23rd day of the hunger strike, a brother of Salekh Rustamov reported that the prisoner was not able to move independently and became extremely weak. Doctors called the activist’s health state severe and warned of the danger to his life in case if he refused water.

Advocate Bakhruz Bairamov notes that “the hunger strike is approaching a critical point.” “We can already talk about a real threat to Salekh Rustamov’s life,” the advocate believes.

On November 29, the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) of Azerbaijan demanded from the authorities to release Salekh Rustamov.

The “Musavat” Party also demanded the release of Salekh Rustamov.

In its statement, the Liberal Party of Azerbaijan expressed the concern over the health state of Salekh Rustamov as a result of his prolonged hunger strike.

The Centre for Monitoring Political Prisoners also demanded to release Salekh Rustamov and stop the repressions in the country. The human rights defenders believe that Salekh Rustamov was convicted unfairly, “on the basis of trumped-up charges.”