Blogger Rashad Ramazanov complains about poor conditions in colony

Rashad Ramazanov, an Azerbaijani blogger, convicted in a drug case, has complained that the colony where he is being kept is overcrowded and unsanitary; and prisoners are under pressure.

Law enforcers' answers have confirmed that Rashad Ramazanov was beaten up after detention, his advocate reported in May 2023. According to his version, based on the practice of the Supreme Court (SC) of Azerbaijan, Ramazanov should be acquitted, since unacceptable methods were used against him. On February 5, 2024, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes sentenced Ramazanov to five years and four months of freedom deprivation. In protest, Ramazanov swallowed an electric battery in the courtroom.

"Instead of the required 600 inmates, the colony keeps 1500 ... There's not enough space, prisoners sleep in turns; some have to sleep on the concrete floor. It's very cold in the cells," Ramazanov said.

According to his story, the colony is unsanitary. "There are not enough toilets, they are poorly cleaned," the blogger continued.

He also pointed out problems with nutrition. "Only 30 minutes are prescribed for eating at the prison canteen, and many have no time to eat. And the food served to prisoners is of poor quality. Due to checks, the food transferred to us from home is already in poor condition," Ramazanov said.

"They speak rudely to us, threaten us for the slightest expression of discontent, they wouldn't give us the needed medicines in the medical unit. We are kept like prisoners of war (POWs)," Ramazanov has added.

He also pointed out violations of believers' rights. According to his story, when believers are performing their namaz in the prison mosque, loud music is played nearby. Besides, he complained about pressure on his relatives so that they do not make the blogger's complaints public.

According to Ramazanov, discontent is growing among inmates and some, including him, are planning to go on a protest hunger strike.

Overcrowding is typical for many correctional institutions in Azerbaijan, said Elshan Gasanov, the head of the Centre for Monitoring Political Prisoners.