Court Refuses to Investigate Activist's Torture Complaint

Elvin Mustafayev

A hearing was held at the Baku Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Elmar Ragimov, to consider the complaint of trade union activist Elvin Mustafayev regarding his stricter punishment regime.

During the hearing, he informed the court about the inhumane treatment he experienced at Correctional Institution No. 6, where he was previously held.

As a result of beatings, blood flowed from his ears for several days, and the wound festered. He reported that he still has hearing problems.

The activist's lawyer, Zibeyda Sadigova, stated that although they had appealed to the prosecutor's office through the court to investigate the torture, they have not yet received a response.

Therefore, she petitioned for the appellate court to send an official request to the prosecutor's office.

However, the judicial panel denied the defense's request.

The consideration of Mustafayev's appeal against the decision to transfer him from Correctional Institution No. 6 to the closed-regime Gobustan Prison was postponed until September 3.

Mustafayev was placed in solitary confinement on May 6 for a hunger strike demanding the release of imprisoned politician Tofig Yagublu.

Although the activist was supposed to be released from solitary confinement on May 19, his detention was extended twice—for 10 days and for 1 month.

He told his lawyer that he was subjected to "particularly brutal violence" in solitary confinement and developed an ear infection.

Elvin Mustafayev, a member of the alternative confederation of trade unions "Workers' Platform," was detained in August 2023 on charges of illegal drug trafficking.

On January 31, 2024, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced him to 3 years in prison. Mustafayev rejected the charge, connecting it to his trade union activities.

Three other activists from the same trade union organization—Afiyaddin Mammadov, Ayhan Israfilov, and Mohyaddin Orujev—are also in prison.

Human rights activists have recognized them as political prisoners.