MNS of NAR: arrested Zeinalov died of cancer, not of torture

The Ministry of National Security (MNS) of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (NAR) has admitted the death on August 28 of Turadzh Zeinalov, 31, who had been arrested by Ministry's agents. However, the MNS of the NAR denies the violent death of Zeinalov.

Malakhat Nasibova, the head of Regional Resource Centre for NGOs and Democracy, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about the application lodged by Turadzh's brother Isa Zeinalov. In particular, Isa explained that on August 24 Turadzh was summoned to the MNS, but was not explained the reason. On the following day, his relatives came there and demanded to meet him. Then, Turadzh was demonstrated to his father and his wife with a bag on his head. "He was so severely beaten that was unable to move by himself," said the brother.

Shuriya Zeinalov, the casualty's father has added: "We were told that he was a parricide and worked for Iran. I demanded proofs and stated that my son was unable to do it. He was beaten so badly that he signed a confession; however, my son wasn't broken. That's what they killed him."

The casualty's brother Isa has also noted that the body of Turadzh was secretly taken away by an ambulance on August 28 from the MNS to the morgue of the central hospital.

The MNS gave no explanations to the relatives. According to their story, the whole body of Turadzh Zeinalov was in bruises and extravasations. His head was especially heavily disfigured. No papers and medical findings about the reason of his death were given to the family. All Zeinalovs' appeals and complaints to the authorities remain unanswered, said Nasibova.

In its turn, the statement released on Tuesday by the MNS of the NAR ran that Zeinalov had died "from cancer."

The MNS has noted that on August 28 in order to conduct investigatory actions Zeinalov was brought to the MNS. "On the way his health condition worsened; an ambulance was called, but despite their help, Zeinalov died. His parents were notified about it," said the statement.

Azerbaijani human rights activists accuse local power agents of arbitrariness and impunity. "I'll turn to the head of the MNS Eldar Makhmudov with a demand to investigate Zeinalov's death," said Elchin Bekhbudov, the head of the Committee against Torture.