Azerbaijani activist Akhmedov’s health state worsens in prison hospital

The health state of Niyameddin Akhmedov, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, deteriorated sharply in a medical institution of the Penitentiary Service. A father of the activist associates the deterioration with his son’s long hunger strike.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that in the spring of 2020, Niyameddin Akhmedov, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), was arrested for 30 days for violating quarantine and failing to obey to the police. Party colleagues of the activist claimed that law enforcers tortured him to force him to accuse PFPA leader Ali Kerimli. Then Niyameddin Akhmedov was accused of financing terrorism. The oppositionist claimed that the case was fabricated. In January, he was charged with public appeals against the state and illegal trafficking in prohibited items. On September 24, it became known that Niyameddin Akhmedov was placed in a prison hospital.

According to the General Prosecutor’s Office, Niyameddin Akhmedov used to get money for terrorist activities from Gabil Mamedov, who after his migration to Germany “created a secret grouping with the aim of committing terror acts and undermining public security in Azerbaijan.” However, PFPA deputy chair Gezyal Bairamly said that Niyameddin Akhmedov and Gabil Mamedov were neighbours, and the latter borrowed money from Niyameddin Akhmedov, and “several years after leaving for Germany, he began to return those funds in instalments.”

Niyameddin Akhmedov went on a hunger strike after on September 22, a public prosecutor requested the court to sentence the defendant to 15 years of imprisonment, activist’s father Arif Akhmedov said.

PFPA leader Ali Kerimli called on the activist to stop his hunger strike. The leader of the PFPA has claimed that the country’s authorities are responsible for the activist’s life and called on President Ilham Aliev to release Niyameddin Akhmedov.