Azerbaijani activist Veliyev complained of pressure from security forces in the penal colony.

Opposition activist Lachin Veliyev, after participating in the creation of the "Committee for the Defense of Political Prisoners," was transferred to another prison colony, where he was subjected to beatings and insults by security forces.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," in November, six prisoners from Baku Colony No. 2 announced the creation of a "Committee for the Defense of Political Prisoners." They explained this decision by saying that human rights and freedom violations in Azerbaijan "have reached a critical level and have become systematic." After the committee's creation, its members faced pressure and threats.

A few days after the creation of the "Committee for the Defense of Political Prisoners" in Penal Colony No. 2, Lachin Veliev was transferred to Correctional Facility No. 17 and placed in solitary confinement, where he was held for more than three weeks, his wife, Zulfiya Velieva, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent today.

The woman explained that yesterday, December 29, her husband called home and told them about his recent experiences. "After Lachin became a member of the Committee for the Defense of Political Prisoners, pressure was put on him in Colony No. 2. A few days later, he was sent to Colony No. 17, where he was beaten and placed in solitary confinement, where he spent 23 days. Lachin said the colony director insulted him with derogatory language," Zulfiya Veliyeva said.

Lachin said the pain from the beatings hasn't gone away.

She also reported her husband's health has worsened. "Lachin said that the pain hasn't gone away since the beating, and has gotten even worse, but he's not being treated," said the prisoner's wife.

Veliyev also told his wife that he wrote a statement asking to be returned to Colony No. 2 because he doesn't feel safe in Penal Colony No. 17, but his request was denied.

All the convicts who participated in the creation of the "Committee for the Defense of Political Prisoners" faced pressure, an Azerbaijani human rights activist, who asked not to publish his name, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

They faced severe pressure for this "insubordination."

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"People continued to fight for their rights in prison and faced severe pressure for this 'insubordination.' Almost all of the committee's founders suffered to varying degrees. Afiyaddin Mamedov was sent to solitary confinement, Hafiz Babali, a visually impaired person, was denied effective medical care, Samir Ashurov was subjected to violence and went on a hunger strike in protest, Lachin Veliyev was sent to another prison colony, where he was beaten and placed in solitary confinement. Physical pressure was also exerted on Mehman Aliyev," he listed.

According to the logic of the Penitentiary Service's security forces, the lack of response to civic activism could lead to mass disobedience among prisoners, the human rights activist explained. "And they [security forces] decided to take 'preventive measures' with such actions. However, these actions are completely unlawful," he said.

It was not possible to obtain comment from the Penitentiary Service: the agency did not answer calls, a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reported today.

As a reminder, the number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan reached its highest point in 2024 since the country's 23-year membership in the Council of Europe, according to a "Caucasian Knot" report "Key Points about the Record Number of Political Prisoners in Azerbaijan." At the same time, the Azerbaijani authorities deny the presence of political prisoners in the country.