Azeri activist set free after COVID-19 infection

Djalil Zabidov, an activist of the "Democracy-1918" movement in Azerbaijan, who got infected with coronavirus, must serve the remainder of his term at the isolation facility after recovery, the court has ruled. However, in the opinion of Akhmed Mamedli, the head of the movement, and Elshan Gasanov, a human rights defender, believe that Zabidov should be released from returning to jail because of his health condition.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Djalil Zabidov was detained on January 31 and arrested for 25 days under the article on disobeying the police's lawful demands. Activists believe that he is being persecuted for criticizing Azerbaijani authorities in social networks.

Djalil has informed that on February 7 he was released from custody. He has noted that he was healthy prior to detention and got infected at the police station.

"I'm also weak after the hunger strike I declared after my arrest, demanding my release. I stopped it a week later, after I was diagnosed with coronavirus," Mr Zabidov has explained.

He believes he was arrested on trumped-up charges. He has noted that he had been persecuted earlier, as he "criticizes Azerbaijani authorities and exposes electoral frauds."

Earlier, Zabidov was detained on July 7, 2021. The "Democracy-1918" movement has suggested that he is persecuted for his critical posts in social networks and participation in the campaign under the hashtag #I protest against corruption and arbitrariness.