Azerbaijan: imprisoned "Kura" activist goes on hunger strike because of CER refusal

Ilham Amiraslanov, an activist of the staff of the civil society "Kura", who is serving his term in Colony No. 5 of Azerbaijan, has started a hunger strike, claiming a violation of his right to conditional early relief (CER), said Oktay Gyulalyev, the coordinator of the "Kura" staff and the leader of the public alliance "Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners".

"After expiry of one third of his term, Ilham Amiraslanov tried to enjoy his right to get transferred to a colony-settlement and repeatedly submitted official appeals for the CER; however, they were never considered," Mr Gyulalyev told in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his story, Amiraslanov had no violations during his time in colony; and there are no grounds to reject his CER.

"We believe that Ilham Amiraslanov is treated prejudicially for political reasons," said Gyulalyev.

He added that Amiraslanov also asked activists of international organizations to visit him in colony.

Earlier, the international human rights organization named "Front Line Defenders" (FLD) urged the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately revoke the sentence against Amiraslanov and ensure his unconditional release.