Talekh Bagirzade's wife claims use of violence against her husband in prison

On August 5, Leyla Ismailzade, the wife of sentenced Talekh Bagirzade, has told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that five days ago, her husband was brought from the SIZO (pre-trial prison) to the Gobustan prison and was immediately placed in a punishment cell where he was beaten with the result of deterioration in his health.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 25 a court in Baku sentenced Talekh Bagirzade, the leader of the "Muslim Unity" movement, and his 16 supporters, accused of riots in the village of Nardaran, as well as the deputy chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), to 10-20 years in imprisonment.

"According to the information leaked to us from the prison, an ambulance was called for Talekh. His health state is severe. However, the prison administration does not inform us officially about anything and does not answer our questions," said Leyla Ismailzade.

According to her, advocate of Talekh Bagirzade cannot visit him.

Advocate Yalchin Imanov has told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that earlier that week he sent to the Penitentiary Service a copy of a warrant and a formal letter with a request to visit Talekh Bagirzade in the Gobustan prison, but received no response.

"Talekh Bagirzade has been repeatedly placed to a punishment cell. He is being punished for his courage and protection of his rights and the rights of believers sentenced together with him. In late July, in connection with the entry into force of his sentence, he was transferred from the SIZO to prison. He spent in the punishment cell even his last days in the SIZO. That was likely a punishment for him for a protest action in the court of appeal, when the defendants were deprived of the opportunity to deliver their final speeches," said Yalchin Imanov.

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