Imprisoned Azerbaijani Opposition Figure Tofiq Yaqublu Faces Health Crisis
According to family members and legal counsel, Yaqublu is currently suffering from debilitating pain that has left him unable to walk unaided or even rest comfortably, highlighting a deteriorating situation at Prison No. 17.
Following a recent phone call and a meeting with his lawyer, Nemət Kərimli, Yaqublu’s daughter, Nigar Həzi, disclosed that her father has been held in quarantine for nearly three weeks. The primary concern centers on a severe swelling in his knee which has caused "unbearable" pain. Yaqublu reportedly informed his family that despite alerting prison authorities to the issue immediately, it took ten days for a medical professional to administer a single injection.
The family alleges that the medical care provided has been dismissive. Prison physician Elman Abdullayev reportedly advised the politician to simply "wrap the knee to keep it warm," while essential medical supplies sent by the family, such as a knee brace, have allegedly been withheld by prison staff. Furthermore, the family claims Yaqublu was provided with only one crutch despite being unable to put weight on his leg, a situation his daughter describes as a form of "physical torture."
Yaqublu’s current health crisis follows a grueling 40-day hunger strike earlier this year, which he initiated to protest his conviction. The veteran politician was arrested in December 2023 and subsequently sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of fraud and forgery—charges he and international human rights organizations maintain are politically motivated.
The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan recently upheld this sentence, exhausting all domestic legal remedies. His legal team is now preparing to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Yaqublu has maintained his innocence throughout, asserting during his final court appearance that he expected "not even 0.1% justice" from a system he views as an instrument of political vengeance for his long-standing criticism of the government.
The plight of the 63-year-old activist has gained international attention, specifically within the U.S. Congress and among various human rights groups who recognize him as a prisoner of conscience. Protests demanding his release have even occurred abroad, including demonstrations in Washington D.C. during official visits by Azerbaijani leadership.
Despite the gravity of the allegations regarding his health and the conditions of his confinement, the Penitentiary Service, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ombudsman's Office have yet to provide an official response to the family’s claims. Yaqublu’s family continues to call for an urgent medical examination by independent doctors, warning that the current lack of transparency and care poses a direct threat to his life.
Tofiq Yaqublu is a decorated veteran of the Karabakh war and has been a central figure in Azerbaijan’s opposition for decades. This current imprisonment marks one of several times he has been detained, with international observers consistently citing a pattern of judicial harassment against him. As he remains in quarantine at Prison No. 17, his supporters argue that his treatment serves as a grim indicator of the broader human rights climate in the country.
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