Imprisoned Abzas Media Director Ulvi Hasanli Faces Solitary Confinement Amid Renewed Hunger Strike, Colleagues Join Protest

Ulvi Hasanli

BAKU, Azerbaijan – Ulvi Hasanli, the imprisoned director of Azerbaijan's independent news outlet Abzas Media, has reportedly been moved to a disciplinary cell, known as "kars" or solitary confinement, after beginning an indefinite hunger strike on July 20. His female colleagues, also imprisoned, are joining the hunger strike in solidarity, demanding his return to the Baku Investigative Pre-trial Detention Center.

Hasanli informed his family on July 21 that he was being transferred to the disciplinary cell following a phone call. He described his previous cell as "suffocating" and "unbearable" in the recent hot weather, anticipating even harsher conditions in solitary confinement. Since starting his hunger strike, Hasanli has reported experiencing headaches, low blood pressure, and an accelerated heart rate.

The journalist initiated his hunger strike in protest against the Penitentiary Service's (PS) failure to execute a court order for his transfer back to the Baku Investigative Pre-trial Detention Center (BIT). The Baku Court of Grave Crimes had granted a motion for his transfer on July 3, a decision submitted to the PS. However, more than 15 days later, the order remained unexecuted. Hasanli stated, "It seems the Penitentiary Service disregards court decisions and considers itself superior to the court."

Hasanli's application to begin the hunger strike was initially refused by the detention center's administration but was finally accepted on July 21.

This is not Hasanli's first hunger strike over the same issue. He previously held a nine-day strike but stopped it due to concerns for the health of his female colleagues who had joined in support. He also noted that the Penitentiary Complex leadership had promised his transfer by July 12, a promise that was not kept.

Currently held in the Penitentiary Complex in Umbakı settlement, Hasanli highlighted that this location is significantly further from Baku Investigative Pre-trial Detention Center, severely hindering his ability to meet with his family, lawyers, and especially his 3-year-old child. "There are no conditions here to meet my child. That's why I can't meet him at all," he explained. He believes these actions are a direct consequence of their journalistic work, stating, "These things are being done because of our writings..."

Despite Hasanli's plea to his female colleagues not to join his support action, Sevinj Vagifgizi (editor-in-chief), Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova (journalists) announced they would begin an indefinite hunger strike from July 22. Their primary demand is Hasanli's return to the Baku Investigative Pre-trial Detention Center.

The arrests in the "Abzas Media case" began on November 20, 2023. On June 20, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes delivered verdicts in the case: Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinj Vagifgizi, investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, and Azadliq Radio journalist Farid Mehralizade were sentenced to 9 years in prison. Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova received 8 years, and Abzas Media coordinator Mahammad Kekalov was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months. They were charged with various offenses, including smuggling, although the journalists and their defense teams maintain that the investigation failed to provide substantial evidence.

After the verdict, Hasanli and several others were transferred from the Baku Investigative Pre-trial Detention Center to the Umbakı complex, a move the defense deems illegal as the verdict has not yet fully entered into force.

This case is part of a broader trend in Azerbaijan, where over 30 journalists and public activists have been arrested on smuggling charges since November 2023. Local human rights organizations report over 370 political prisoners in Azerbaijani jails. While officials assert that no one is arrested for their professional activities or political beliefs, international human rights organizations continue to call for the release of those they consider unjustly detained.

Attempts to get a response from the Penitentiary Service or other official bodies regarding Hasanli's appeal and the colleagues' hunger strike have been unsuccessful.