Azerbaijani Politician Ruslan Izzetli's Health Deteriorates in Prison

Ruslan Izzetli

Ruslan Izzetli, a founder of the Third Republic Platform, is currently detained in relation to the Toplum TV case, and his health is in serious decline, according to his wife, Gunel Manaflı.

Izzetli was arrested in March 2024 as part of the Toplum TV case, which involves criminal charges against 10 people, including politicians, journalists, and activists. The initial charge was smuggling, but it was later changed to include money laundering, illegal business activity, and tax evasion. The accused maintain their innocence, stating that their imprisonment is politically motivated.

Urgent Need for Surgery

On December 7th, Manaflı said that Izzetli has health problems, including high blood pressure that requires daily medication, and severe gallbladder pain.

A recent medical examination showed that Izzetli's gallbladder condition needs surgery and cannot be treated with medicine.

Manaflı said that this operation cannot happen in prison. She warned that having high blood pressure and a bad gallbladder is dangerous. If his gallbladder has an attack, it could cause sepsis, which she said could kill him.

“This is a warning,” Manaflı said. Izzetli had complained about the lack of an ultrasound specialist in the Baku Investigative Isolator No. 1, noting that he had been waiting for a doctor for over a month as of late November.

Accountability and Political Background

Gunel Manaflı said the government is responsible for her husband’s life.

“This government does not care about a politician's life. If anything happens to Ruslan Izzetli, this government is to blame,” she said.

The Toplum TV case has resulted in the detention of people like Akif Gurbanov, Elesger Memmedli, Mushfig Jabbar, Ferid Ismayilov, Eli Zeynal, Ilkin Emrahov, and Ramil Babayev. Elmir Abbasov and Shahnaz Beylergizi are under police surveillance.

This case is part of a trend. Local human rights organizations report that there are almost 400 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, after over 30 journalists and activists were arrested on smuggling charges since November 2023. Officials deny that anyone is arrested for their work or political views.