Bahruz Samedov Ends Hunger Strike

Bahruz Samedov

Young researcher and anti-war activist Bahruz Samedov, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Azerbaijan on charges of treason, has ended his hunger strike following persistent pleas from his grandmother.

According to public activist Amrah Tahmazov, Samedov had a phone conversation with his grandmother, Zibeyda Osmanova, on September 11.

"His grandmother persistently asked, begged Bahruz to end the hunger strike, because she cannot bear the torment of her grandson at such an elderly age. After that, Bahruz agreed to end the hunger strike. Free Bahruz!," Tahmazov wrote on Facebook.

Samedov announced the hunger strike on September 6 after the Baku Court of Appeal rejected his appeal against the sentence.

Bahruz Samedov was detained in Azerbaijan on August 21, 2024, and arrested on charges of treason. According to the investigation, he was writing and translating articles at the behest of representatives from Armenia. The charge is based on Bahruz Samedov's correspondence with three women from Armenia. Samedov himself has categorically denied the treason charge. Samedov is known for his criticism of the Azerbaijani authorities, which he has voiced in foreign publications. His defense believes the reason for his arrest was his "anti-war views."

On June 23, the Baku Court for Grave Crimes sentenced him to 15 years in prison.