17:44, 15 April 2014

Azerbaijani journalist Parviz Gashimli goes on hunger strike in SIZO

Parviz Gashimli, an Azerbaijani journalist and human rights activist, kept in the SIZO (pre-trial prison) of the Ministry of National Security (MNS) has gone on a hunger strike in protest against violation of his rights, said his advocate Elchin Sadygov.

According to his story, on April 15, at a sitting of the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, Gashimli addressed his written complaint to Judge Novruz Kerimov.

"Parviz asked to accelerate his trial, because for 8 months already he is kept in the MNS, in a solitary cell and exposed to physical and moral pressure," said Sadygov. According to the journalist, torture is used in the SIZO.

"On his return to the SIZO of the MNS, Parviz was accused of his 'bad behaviour' in the court and threatened with placing into the dungeon. Parviz demanded a meeting with his family. During his eight months at the SIZO, he never met his parents; and only for a couple of times he was allowed to meet his wife and daughter. Now, he was told that there will be no meetings; that is why, he went on a hunger strike this morning and officially informed SIZO bosses about it," said the lawyer.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent