11:00, 8 March 2013

Azerbaijan: convicted journalist Allakhverdiev is on hunger strike

The journalist Faramaz Allakhverdiev, sentenced to 4.5 years in prison, has gone on hunger strike and sewed up his mouth. His protest is against rejection of his petition to hold repeated hearings on his case.

According to the lawyer Fariz Namazly, Allakhverdiev has sewed his mouth at the SIZO (pre-trial prison), but not tight. He cannot eat, but can drink, although with difficulty. Allakhverdiev also speaks with difficulty and barely legible. "Faramaz Allakhverdiev looked pale and lethargic, but said that he was capable to continue his hunger strike and did not feel any serious health problems," said Namazly.

When asked whether Allakhverdiev was under pressure from the prison administration because of his protest, the advocate replied in the negative. "He has no problem with the SIZO personnel. He protests against the court decisions," said Namazly.

The journalist wants to continue his hunger strike until at least March 15 – the day of his trial at the Court of Appeal of Baku.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent