12:40, 4 January 2008

State of health of imprisoned journalist is worse in Azerbaijan

The state of health of satirist Sakit Zakhidov who is kept behind bars in Azerbaijan is worse again. He suffers from strong pains in his heart and legs.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told at the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety (IRFS) with reference to the journalist's wife, that he has strong pains in his heart and legs and looks very exhausted.

People from the Institute have also noted that they intend to repeatedly address the head of the state with a demand to pardon Sakit Zakhidov, as well as editors-in-chief of the newspapers "Azadlyg" and "Real Azerbaijan" Ganimet Zakhidov and Einullah Fatullaev who are still in custody.

Meanwhile, Miclos Charasti, OSCE Representative for Freedom of Press, has again addressed the President with a request to release these journalists. His statement for the press runs: "It was a great relief for me to hear that some of the journalists were released, but we should not forget that three journalists are still in custody and they must be released," Mr Charasti has stated.

Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent