Azerbaijani rights defenders express concern about Abdula Abilov's health

A deterioration in the health condition of Abdula Abilov, who had actively criticize Azerbaijani authorities and the convicted on charges of drug possession, has raised concerns of local rights defenders. The head of the group for torture prevention under the country's Ombudsperson promised to address the SIZO (pre-trial prison) concerning Abilov.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 27, 2014, Abilov was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison on charges of possession a big amount of drugs. The convict claimed that his prosecution had to do with his criticism of the authorities that he expressed in social networks. On January 26, his mother visited Abilov in his custody; she said about the meeting that her son lost weight, looked pale and was very weak.

The family of Abilov has not addressed the Ombudsperson of Azerbaijan for help, said Vugar Magerramov, the head of the above group for torture prevention. In the near future, no monitoring is planned of Prison No. 13, where Abilov is kept.

In her turn, Gyunay Ismaylova, a lawyer of the Institute of Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS), said that she is ready to help Abilov's relatives in drawing up the required applications to the authorities.

A concern about Abilov's health was also expressed by Elshan Gasanov, the head of the Centre for Defence of Political Prisoners. In his opinion, prisoners often have no chance to receive medical care of due quality.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.