Azerbaijan hunger strikers moved to solitary confinement

Four Azerbaijani religious activists on a hunger strike demanding the release of jailed female journalists and activists have been moved to solitary confinement, family members say.

The men, who are members of the Muslim Unity Movement (MBH), are being held at the Umbakı Penitentiary Complex near the capital, Baku.

According to local journalist Arzu Abdulla, who spoke to the family of one of the detainees, Süleyman Ələkbərov, Vəli Allahverdiyev and Vüqar Alıyev began their hunger strike on 11 July. A fourth activist, Elvin Zeynalov, joined the protest on 13 July.

The group is demanding the release of nine jailed female journalists and six religious women, whom local human rights organisations have recognised as political prisoners.

The nine journalists were arrested over the past three years during criminal investigations targeting independent Azerbaijani media outlets, including Abzas Media and Meydan TV.

They face charges of smuggling, tax evasion and illegal entrepreneurship. The journalists deny the allegations, saying they are being targeted for their investigative reporting.

The six religious women were detained on 15 August last year in the Bina settlement near Baku. They were arrested while distributing charity food and chanting slogans in support of Palestine.

Charged with hooliganism and disrupting public order, the women also deny the accusations, calling their arrests politically motivated.

The Azerbaijani government has repeatedly denied holding political prisoners and maintains that all arrests of journalists and activists are based strictly on criminal offences.