14 August 2019, 21:48
Azerbaijani journalist hunger-striking in SIZO needs doctors' help
The state of health of Ikram Ragimov, who is on a hunger strike in the SIZO (pre-trial prison), has deteriorated sharply, he was transferred to the medical unit of the SIZO, his close relative has informed today.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 12, a court in Baku found Ikram Ragimov, the editor-in-chief of the "Realliq.info" website, guilty of extortion, and sentenced him to 5.5 years in prison. The verdict was appealed against; and the Baku Court of Appeal (BCA) appointed the consideration of the complaint on the merits for August 21. Ragimov, who went on a hunger strike on August 7, demands an objective review of his appeal at the BCA.
The case against Ragimov was opened on citizens' complaints, the Azerbaijani State Security Service (SSS) asserts. He was accused of extortion by blackmail. Ragimov himself has stated that special services began spying on him after the publication of his letter criticizing Ali Gasanov, the president's assistant for socio-political issues. On December 6, 2018, the Union for the Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan put Ragimov on the list of political prisoners.
He himself informed about his transfer to the SIZO's medical unit by calling his relatives today, a close relative of Ikram Ragimov has informed.
"Ikram's voice was very weak and hoarse. He said that he feels bad, and therefore he was transferred to the SIZO's medical unit. Ikram asked to tell the media that he was on a dry hunger strike, and would persist until his demands were met," the relative told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
According to the relative, Ikram also asked his family members to call on the Azerbaijani Ombudsperson, human rights organizations and the Red Cross to pay attention to his case.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 14, 2019 at 06:07 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
