Economist Gasimov, imprisoned in Azerbaijan, complains of beatings by guards

Economist Fazil Gasimov complained of pressure from guards. Due to his poor health, the hearing on his appeal was postponed.

"Caucasian Knot" wrote that in March, a court in Baku sentenced economist Fazil Gasimov to nine years in prison for counterfeiting money. The defense promised to appeal the verdict. In May, Gasimov went on a hunger strike in protest against his mistreatment.

During the consideration of Gasimov's appeal against the verdict on July 29 in the Baku Court of Appeal, he complained about pressure from employees of the Penitentiary Service of Azerbaijan, the economist's brother told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Fazil said that for 42 days now he has not been allowed to contact his lawyer Nemat Kerimli in the penitentiary complex in Umbaki. He asked the judge for time for a confidential conversation with the defense attorney. Fazil was given only 5 minutes to talk to the lawyer. At the same time, when Fazil wanted to give his notes to the lawyer, the guards took them from him and then handed them to the judge. Only after Fazil and the lawyer protested, the notes were handed over to the defense attorney,” said Nazim Gasimov.

At the same time, the judge did not allow the lawyer to give the economist the documents he brought to the trial.

“Fazil told the court that he was subjected to violence by the Penitentiary Service employees in Umbaki. In particular, his additions to the appeal were taken away from him, two employees grabbed him by the arms, and the deputy head of the prison slapped him and began to choke him. He told Fazil: “You are a criminal, and this is how we treat criminals.” Fazil told the judge that he felt bad physically and psychologically and needed medical help. He asked to postpone the trial and the judge postponed the hearing in this regard,” said the economist’s brother.

Lawyer Nemat Kerimli confirmed this information. "Fazil Gasimov constantly complains about the illegal actions of the Penitentiary Service employees, but the judges do not take any measures," the lawyer said.

Representatives of the Penitentiary Service were not available for comment. The Baku Court of Appeal confirmed the information about the hearing on the case.