Alekser Mamedli's health condition sharply deteriorated in the Baku SIZO.

The founder of Toplum TV, Alekser Mamedli, suffered a heart attack in SIZO-1, and his overall condition has significantly worsened. The defense and relatives insist on his urgent hospitalization in a specialized clinic.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", among those accused in the Toplum TV case were the founder of the publication Alekser Mamedli, Toplum TV employees Mushvig Jabbar and Farid Ismailov, the head of the partner organization of Toplum TV – the Institute of Democratic Initiatives Akif Gurbanov, and institute employees Ruslan Izzetli, Ali Zeynal, Ramil Babaev, Ilkin Amrakhov, and Elmira Abbasov. Initially, they were accused of currency smuggling, later new charges were brought against them under six criminal articles. Toplum TV positioned itself as an independent platform for expressing different opinions on socio-political and socio-economic events. On February 10, Toplum TV announced the suspension of its activities in Azerbaijan. On June 8, the state prosecutor requested long prison terms for the accused – from 13 to 16 years. The defense requested the acquittal of the accused. On July 27, a verdict was announced in this case in the Baku Serious Crimes Court.

In Baku SIZO-1, the health condition of the founder of Toplum TV, media expert Alekser Mamedli, has sharply deteriorated, his brother reported.

"Alekser is still troubled by tumors in the thyroid gland, which periodically cause choking and insomnia. However, in recent days, his cardiovascular disease has worsened, blood pressure has sharply increased, diabetes has worsened, and severe headaches have become almost chronic," said Nasimi Mamedli, informing about his arrested brother's illnesses to a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot".

On August 11, Nasimi Mamedli met with his brother in SIZO. "Alekser's face was very pale, he looked emaciated, and he had severe shortness of breath. I took his wrist and measured his pulse, it reached 120 beats per minute," said the brother of the arrested.

According to him, on August 9, Alekser Mamedli suffered a heart attack. "Alekser said that he was reading a book in the cell when he got up to drink water, felt like a blow to the chest, and his head spun. Alekser lost his balance and knelt down to avoid falling," Nasimi Mamedli recounted his brother's words.

On August 10, the prisoner was examined by doctors from the Main Medical Department of the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan who arrived at the SIZO. "One of the doctors said that there are no conditions in the SIZO for a complete examination of Alekser's cardiovascular disease. The doctor pointed out the need for examination in a medical institution for accurate diagnosis of my brother's condition. Alekser asked the doctor for an official medical conclusion about this. But the doctor said he could not provide such a document because he might lose his job because of it," Nasimi Mamedli further noted.

On August 11, blood samples were taken from Alekser Mamedli for analysis, and an echocardiogram of the heart was performed. "So far, neither Alekser nor we have been informed of the results. Probably, based on the results, the main medical department will make a decision. But it is clear that Alekser needs qualified examination and treatment in a clinic where there are conditions for this. We consulted with medical specialists, and they consider it mandatory to conduct an angiographic study for Alekser to check the condition of the vessels supplying blood to the heart. There may be a need for surgical intervention depending on the results of the examination. We have already made such a request. But the decision on this issue is not at the level of the SIZO; the decision should be made by the Ministry of Justice," Nasimi Mamedli said.

He noted that an appeal has been filed against the verdict for Alekser Mamedli. "However, for us, the main thing now is to protect the health and life of my brother," Nasimi Mamedli emphasized.

Lawyer Fakhraddin Mekhtiev, in a conversation with a correspondent of the "Caucasian Knot", noted that Alekser Mamedli also experienced attacks during the trial, and doctors had to be called to the courtroom.

According to the defender, the legislation allows for the transfer of prisoners for examination and treatment in specialized medical clinics, and the defense has already requested this.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot", on June 14, 2024, the court ordered a medical examination of Alekser Mamedli in a private clinic, and on June 22, a biopsy was performed on him at the medical center. The doctors did not take a number of tests, and law enforcement officers did not allow medical workers whom Mamedli trusts and whom the court permitted to be present during the procedure. During the procedure, 10-12 law enforcement officers stood around Mamedli, and the handcuffs were removed from him only at the insistence of the doctor.

The medical examination confirmed the deterioration of the condition of the arrested founder of Toplum TV, Alekser Mamedli in Baku, and the doctors indicated the need for surgical operation, but he was denied transfer to a medical institution, his brother stated.