Azerbaijan: Imprisoned journalist 'denied medical scan for four months'

Nargiz Absalamova

An imprisoned Azerbaijani journalist serving an eight-year sentence has been denied critical medical care for four months despite suffering from breathing difficulties, her lawyer says.

Nargiz Absalamova, a reporter for the independent investigative outlet Abzas Media, requires a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to treat chronic sinusitis.

Her relatives told reporters that she is suffering from severe headaches and respiratory issues at the Lenkoran Penitentiary Complex, where she is currently being held.

"We have repeatedly appealed to the Ombudsman's Office and the prison management, but there has been no result," her lawyer, Bahruz Bayramov, said.

"The issue remains unresolved. Absalamova was told by prison staff that they are waiting for approval from 'above' to permit the scan. She is a young person who is suffering from severe pain," he added.

The current editor-in-chief of Abzas Media, Gunel Safarova, also raised concerns about the journalist's deteriorating health in a social media post.

"Nargiz suffers from sinusitis. She has shortness of breath and severe headaches," Safarova said. "You have taken eight years of this young girl's life. You have tested her freedom, why are you testing her health?"

The Azerbaijani Penitentiary Service could not be reached for comment because of a public holiday.

Absalamova was detained in November 2023 as part of a wide-ranging government crackdown on Abzas Media, an independent outlet known for publishing high-profile investigations into state corruption.

In June 2025, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Absalamova and her colleague Elnara Gasimova to eight years in prison.

The outlet’s director, Ulvi Hasanli, and editor-in-chief, Sevinj Vagifgizi, were both sentenced to nine years on charges of smuggling and financial crimes. Three other media workers and associates also received long custodial sentences.

The Baku Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court have since upheld the convictions.

All of the jailed journalists have consistently denied the charges, insisting that the prosecutions are politically motivated attempts to silence their investigative reporting.

Local and international human rights organisations have repeatedly condemned the convictions, calling on Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release the journalists and cease their campaign against independent media.