03:51, 22 August 2017

BCA refuses Afghan Mukhtarly in his relatives' visits

Afghan Mukhtarly (in the center). Photo: screenshot of the video by the "Caucasian Knot"

On August 21, the Baku Court of Appeal (BCA) dismissed the request of journalist Afghan Mukhtarly, kept in the SIZO (pre-trial prison), about visits of his relatives and their representatives. The defence reports that the SIZO administration "tries to keep in secret" the journalist's health problems.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the court arrested Afghan Mukhtarly until October 30.

On May 30, Afghan Mukhtarly, who left for Georgia in 2014, reported that he was kidnapped and brought to Baku. He was accused of crossing the border illegally, smuggling and resisting a border guard.

Advocate Elchin Sadygov has reported that the journalist was never given a chance to be visited by his relatives after the arrest.

According to the advocate, the defence will file an additional complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

Earlier, the defence has filed a motion to release the journalist under house arrest and that he does not receive necessary medicines and high-quality medical care at the SIZO.

Elchin Sadygov has again expressed his concern over the Afghan Mukhtarly's health state.

"It is clear that he has lost a lot of weight. Under the conditions of the SIZO, diabetes mellitus aggravates, and that fact contributes to development of other diseases," noted the advocate.

Elchin Sadygov has also reported he got a response from the SIZO administration, according to which, the journalist is under the constant supervision of medical officers.

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

Author: Faik Medjid

Source: CK correspondent