AbzasMedia Journalists Face Deteriorating Health and Inhumane Conditions Amid Hunger Strike for Transfer

Ulvi Hasanli

Baku, Azerbaijan – The health of Ulvi Hasanli, the imprisoned director of "AbzasMedia" publication, has reportedly deteriorated significantly during his ongoing hunger strike, leading to a temporary loss of consciousness. His colleagues, Sevinj Vagifgizi, Elnara Gasimova, and Nargiz Absalamova, who joined him in solidarity, are also said to be facing inhumane treatment in detention.

The current hunger strike stems from the "AbzasMedia" case, which saw seven journalists and activists sentenced to lengthy prison terms ranging from 7.5 to 9 years on June 20 by the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. Ulvi Hasanli, along with editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi, investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, Radio Azadliq journalist Farid Mehralizade, and journalists Nargiz Absalamova, Elnara Gasimova, and coordinator Mahammad Kekalov, were charged with smuggling and other offenses. However, the journalists and their defense teams maintain that the investigation failed to provide credible evidence, asserting their innocence.

Following the verdict, several male detainees, including Hasanli, were transferred from the Baku Pre-trial Detention Center (BPTDC) to the Penitentiary Complex in Umbakı settlement. The defense argues this transfer is unlawful as the verdict has not yet fully entered into force.

Hasanli had previously undertaken a nine-day hunger strike over the same issue but ceased it due to his female colleagues initiating a solidarity strike and concerns for their well-being. He stated that the Penitentiary Complex leadership had promised his transfer back to BPTDC by July 12, a promise that was not kept. Hasanli highlighted that the Umbakı complex is significantly farther from Baku, severely hindering visits from his family, lawyers, and especially his 3-year-old child, as "there are no conditions here to meet with my child." He believes these actions are a direct consequence of their journalistic work, stating, "These things are being done because of our writings..."

Ulvi Hasanli announced he resumed an indefinite hunger strike on July 20, citing the Penitentiary Service's continued failure to comply with a court decision from July 3 that ordered his transfer back to BPTDC. His family reported on July 24 that Hasanli, now in his fifth day of hunger strike, lost consciousness on July 21, the second day of his protest. He has reportedly lost 6 kilograms, dropping from 74 kg to 68 kg, with his blood pressure recorded at 105/90. His family also stated that he was placed in a disciplinary cell on July 21.

In solidarity with Hasanli, "AbzasMedia" editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi and journalists Elnara Gasimova and Nargiz Absalamova began their own indefinite hunger strike on July 22. Vagifgizi informed her relatives that she has lost 2 kilograms in three days.

The journalists' relatives reported that Vagifgizi, Gasimova, and Absalamova are facing inhumane treatment at the Baku Pre-trial Detention Center since beginning their hunger strike. They stated that on July 22, they were removed from their rooms under the pretense of meeting with prison head Elnur Ismayilov. After waiting for an hour and a half in the deputy head Ahad Abdiyev's office, they were told that Penitentiary Service representatives had changed their minds about meeting them.

Subsequently, the three women were moved from their cells and placed in separate rooms, where each is now held in solitary confinement. The journalists described their new rooms as "unclean" and lacking basic amenities: "None of our three rooms have a shower system, the window panes have not been removed, and there is no proper ventilation." They also claimed that their cellmates were not permitted to assist them in cleaning the rooms.

Furthermore, it was reported that Nargiz Absalamova was subjected to violence by deputy head Ahad Abdiyev when she resisted leaving her room.

Attempts to obtain comments from the Penitentiary Service and other official bodies regarding these allegations have been unsuccessful. However, the Service typically states that they treat all prisoners in accordance with the law.

The arrests in the "AbzasMedia case" began on November 20, 2023. This case is part of a broader trend in Azerbaijan, where more than 30 journalists and public activists have been arrested on smuggling charges since November 2023. Local human rights organizations list over 370 political prisoners in Azerbaijani jails. While officials consistently deny that anyone is imprisoned for their professional activities or political beliefs, asserting that arrests are based on criminal responsibility, international human rights organizations continue to call on the Azerbaijani government to release those unjustly detained.

The "AbzasMedia" journalists' hunger strike highlights ongoing concerns about press freedom and human rights in Azerbaijan. As Ulvi Hasanli's health deteriorates and his colleagues face harsh conditions, their demand for lawful transfer and humane treatment remains unmet, drawing continued attention to the plight of imprisoned journalists in the country.