Azerbaijan: another life convict hang himself in Gobustan prison

It has become known to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that another life-term prisoner has committed suicide in Gobustan prison (Azerbaijan). The body of hanged Yuri Safaraliev from cell No. 132 was found the day before yesterday, on September 25, in the afternoon in the bath of Block No. 5. Yu. Safaraliev, a native of the town of Mingyachevir, received his life sentence in 2004 and served only two years of his term. The reason of the suicide is unknown.

In connection with the incident, the Garadag District Prosecutor's Office has initiated a criminal case under Article 125 of the Criminal Code (incitement to suicide).

We note here that in the Gobustan prison this is already the third suicide during the recent 12 months. Last May, Magbet Bagirov was found hanged in his cell, and in August Kamandar Aslanov died under puzzling circumstances. All the self-killers, including Yu. Safaraliev, were life prisoners.

In the opinion of human rights defender Eldar Zeinalov, the situation in Gobustan prison is really becoming tenser day after day and, consequently, gradually gets out of control. "Apart from the latest three suicides in Gobustan prison, there are plenty of failed suicide attempts. Practically every inmate has scars on wrists left from attempts to cut veins," he said. According to the human rights defender, it is high time for the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan to get into the reasons of these suicides.