Azerbaijan: Ilgar Mamedov claimed violation of his rights in SIZO

Ilgar Mamedov, the leader of the civil movement "Republican Alternative" (ReAl), sentenced to seven years of imprisonment, has stated psychological pressure and violation of his rights in SIZO (pre-trial prison). His advocate intends to go to the town of Sheki to study the situation and appeal against his client's rights violations.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Ilgar Mamedov was accused of organizing mass riots on January 23-24, 2013, in the city of Ismailly. Despite the criticism from the international community and human rights organizations, Mamedov was sentenced to seven years in prison.

"For seven months in the Sheki SIZO, Ilgar Mamedov was kept, on his own will, in a solitary cell. In June, two smoking prisoners were placed into his cell. The SIZO personnel knew that he does not smoke and cannot withstand the cigarette smoke. Because of this, he is literally choking," said Djafarli, his advocate.

According to Djafarli, given the recent developments in the SIZO and the indefinite delay of the consideration date of the appeal complaint, Mamedov feared provocations and "treats the placement of smoking inmates into his cell as a measure of psychological pressure."

Mamedov's rights had been violated earlier, said Djafarli.

"Last winter, after Ilgar Mamedov was just detained, a suspicious man was also placed into his cell, who tried to put psychological pressure on him. When he protested, they placed him into the dungeon," the lawyer has stressed.

See earlier reports: "PACE President urges Azerbaijani authorities to release Ilgar Mamedov", "Human rights defenders and opposition leaders criticize Azerbaijani authorities for guilty verdict to Ilgar Mamedov and Tofig Yagublu", "AI demands to immediately release Ilgar Mamedov and Tofig Yagublu in Azerbaijan".