Ulvi Hasanli ends hunger strike

Abzas Media Director Ulvi Hasanli ended his hunger strike on the 17th day, which he had been conducting at the Umbaki Penitentiary Complex in protest against the violation of his rights. He resumed eating at the request of his family and in connection with the scheduled hearing of the appellate court on the case.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, on June 20, a Baku court sentenced journalists and employees of the Azerbaijani online publication Abzas Media to lengthy prison terms. The publication's director Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi, investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, economist Farid Mehralizade received 9 years in prison, Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gaimova - 8 years, and Mohammed Kekalov - 7 years. On July 20, convicted Abzas Media director Ulvi Hasanli announced an indefinite hunger strike in protest against his transfer to the Umbaki penitentiary complex, where he is deprived of meetings with his loved ones. On July 31, Hasanli's relatives demanded that he be hospitalized.

 On August 5, Hasanli ended his hunger strike on the 17th day. During the hunger strike, he lost 15 kilograms and now weighs 63 kilograms, his wife Rubaba Guliyeva told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Because of being kept in 40-degree heat in a punishment cell, where there are no windows or ventilation, Gasanli developed shortness of breath, his heart rate increased, he had pain in his kidneys, and his blood pressure dropped, Guliyeva continued.

In conditions of a weakened body and the lack of medical care, relatives and friends insistently asked Gasanli not to expose his health to further risks and threats. At their request, on August 5, on the 17th day of his hunger strike, he stopped the action.

Gasanli's decision was also influenced by the announcement of the date of the preliminary hearing of the appellate court in the Abzas Media case, which is scheduled for August 12, the activist's wife further noted.

Gasanli hopes that the judges of the Baku Court of Appeal will ensure his return to Baku Pre-trial Detention Center No. 1, where, according to the verdict, he must be held until the completion of the consideration of the appeal against the verdict.

The Baku Court of Appeal confirmed the information about the appointment of a preliminary hearing in the Abzas Media case for August 12.

Representatives of the prosecution were unavailable for comments.

Author: Faik Medzhid, source, correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot"