In Azerbaijan, arrested oppositional activist complaints of being pressed at SIZO

The oppositional activist Zeinal Bagirzade, arrested in the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (NAR) of Azerbaijan, told his brother that during the first three days after his detention he had been subjected to physical and psychological pressure.

Earlier, his family members have reported that Zeinal Bagirzade was tortured. However, today, Yashar Bagirsoi managed to talk privately with his brother in the Nakhichevan Prosecutor's Office, where he had been brought from the SIZO (pre-trial prison) for interrogation.

During his brother's visit, Zeinal Bagirzade reported that during the first days after his arrest, i.e. on December 26-28, 2011, he had been subjected to serious physical and psychological pressure. "He was beaten. They were forcing him to admit his guilt and threatening that if he complained about that, then 'it would be even worse'," said Yashar Bagirsoi.

According to his brother, Zeinal Bagirzade has pain in his heart, stomach, gall bladder, and other internal organs. Yashar Bagirsoi has stressed that the left side of his arrested brother's body "is virtually paralyzed." "For two weeks from the date of his arrest, my brother lost a lot of his weight," said Yashar Bagirsoi.

According to him, on December 30, 2011, the NAR's Supreme Court, having considered the Zeinal Bagirzade's complaint against the pre-trial restriction (arrest for period of 3 months), upheld that decision. However, neither Zeinal Bagirzade, nor his relatives were informed about the consideration.

The detainee refused a lawyer appointed by the state. On January 16, Asabali Mustafaev, well-known Azerbaijani lawyer, will arrive in the NAR to protect the rights of Zeinal Bagirzade.

Comments of the law enforcement agencies of the NAR are unavailable. The NAR's state institutions refuse to communicate with representatives of independent media.