Jailed war veteran's mother demands urgent hospital transfer

The mother of a jailed Azerbaijani war veteran has demanded his urgent transfer to a specialist hospital, warning his life is at risk from severe epilepsy and brain injuries suffered in combat.

Tarana Mansimova told local media outlet Abzas Media that her 29-year-old son, Mirabtalib Mansimov, is currently being held at Penal Facility No. 10 on drug charges.

She said his health has deteriorated significantly, having suffered a traumatic brain injury during the Second Karabakh War in 2020, which left him with a third-degree disability.

"His problems are serious, he is ill," Mansimova said. "He developed epilepsy after the war because of his head injury."

Mansimov, who has been imprisoned for 22 months of a five-and-a-half-year sentence, was decorated with four state medals for his service during the conflict.

His mother said he suffered a severe seizure on 10 June that was witnessed by other inmates.

"They struggled to pry open his limbs. Everyone there saw it. I want a medical commission to go and examine him," she said.

She argued that the prison's basic medical unit is inadequate, noting that her son has previously required inpatient treatment at psychiatric and neurological hospitals in Quba and Mashtagha. Mansimov has reportedly petitioned prison management for a transfer, but the requests have been rejected.

The Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice did not respond to requests for comment regarding Mansimov’s condition.

The state body typically maintains that its treatment of prisoners complies fully with national legislation.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman) confirmed it had processed an appeal regarding Mansimov and notified his family of its findings.

However, the Ombudsman's office declined to share specific details regarding his current medical condition, whether he would be hospitalised, or if he had undergone a formal medical examination.