16 January 2019, 13:58
Two activists join hunger strike in support of political prisoners in Azerbaijan
At least 14 activists went on a hunger strike with the demand to release all political prisoners in Azerbaijan. On January 15, investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova and political prisoner Orkhan Bakhyshly were the last who joined the activists.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 13, four Azerbaijani activists serving their sentences at the penal colony No. 13 declared a hunger strike in solidarity with Mekhman Guseinov and with the demand to release all political prisoners in the country. On January 14, it became known that three more prisoners had joined their hunger strike. Besides, on January 7, the hunger strike was started at the office of the "Musavat" Party under the slogan reading: "Freedom to Mekhman Guseinov and other political prisoners"; on January 9, seven people participated in it.
On December 26, 2018, Mekhman Guseinov announced a dry hunger strike in the colony, where he was serving his term, in protest against the new criminal case opened against him. During the hunger strike, Mekhman had severely undermined his health, and began taking liquid dairy products, because of severe stomach pains, but still refuses any other food, his brother and the advocate have stated.
On January 15, investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova joined the hunger strike held at the office of the "Musavat" Party.
"I joined the rally not because of one person. I demand to release all other political prisoners, who were recently charged with new charges before expiration of their old sentences," Khadija Ismayilova told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
On January 15, PFPA activist Orkhan Bakhyshly, another political prisoner, also joined the hunger strike, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed by his mother Kyamalya Ragimli.
"Today [on January 15], Orkhan has called me in the morning. He has told me he is in solidarity with other political prisoners and he has started a hunger strike today," the woman says.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on January 16, 2019 at 06:23 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent
