Relatives have reported that the health of Anar Mammadli, a prisoner in Azerbaijan, has worsened.

Human rights activist Anar Mammadli, who is under arrest in Azerbaijan, is denied access to effective medical care, his father and lawyer reported.

As the "Caucasian Knot" reported, on May 19 it became known that the head of the Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center (EMDSC), Anar Mammadli, was facing new charges. 1. The defense insists on Mammadli's innocence. On September 22, Mammadli indicated to the court the political nature of his criminal prosecution and compared it to the practice of Soviet repression.

Mammadli's knee osteoarthritis has worsened, his father told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"We saw Anar on September 26. He has difficulty walking due to a knee condition. He has severe swelling and redness in the knee area. We consulted with private doctors. An MRI, X-rays, and laboratory tests are necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis. However, Anar has been deprived of access to quality medical care for 17 months now." "The lawyer repeatedly requested permission for Anar to undergo a comprehensive examination at a civilian clinic, but was denied," said Asef Mammadli.

According to him, the human rights activist's detention in a damp room is exacerbating his pain. "If Anar is not provided with normal conditions, the necessary examination, and treatment, his participation in the trial will be impossible," said the human rights activist's father.

Mammadli's lawyer, Elchin Sadygov, confirmed the human rights activist's health problems to a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "Anar Mammadli suffers from severe pain and has difficulty moving, but our requests to ensure he receives examination and treatment in a qualified civilian clinic have not received positive responses," Sadigov said.

It should be noted that Mammadli was arrested in 2013 and convicted on charges whose political motivation was confirmed by an ECHR ruling in 2018.

The number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan reached its highest level in 2024 since the country's membership in the Council of Europe, according to a "Caucasian Knot" report "Key Points on the Record Number of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan". At the same time, the Azerbaijani authorities deny the existence of political prisoners in the country.