Azerbaijani Journalist Polad Aslanov Facing Severe Medical Neglect and Isolation

Polad Aslanov

The case of Azerbaijani journalist Polad Aslanov continues to be a subject of international concern, as reports are surfacing about ongoing rights violations and a lack of medical care he's receiving in prison. Aslanov, who heads the "Xeberman" news site, was arrested in June 2019 and later sentenced to 13 years for high treason. Both he and human rights organizations assert that these allegations are politically motivated, serving as retaliation for his critical reporting.

Recent information from his wife, Gulmira Aslanova, portrays a bleak situation regarding his current detention conditions. Upon his transfer from Correctional Facility No. 15 to the Baku Detention Center for a court hearing concerning his allegations of torture, Aslanov has been effectively isolated from his support system. Despite initial assurances from prison officials that family visits would be allowed, his relatives were denied access upon their arrival.

In addition to his physical isolation, his right to communicate has been significantly restricted. Although Azerbaijani law guarantees inmates two 15-minute phone calls per week, Aslanov’s access has been shortened to mere minutes, despite extensive appeals made to both the Ombudsman and the Penitentiary Service.

This is not the first instance of the journalist encountering difficulties while in custody. Throughout late 2025, Aslanov engaged in hunger strikes to protest discriminatory treatment, which included being denied access to fundamental facilities such as the kitchen for warming his food.

Perhaps the most significant concern pertains to the state of his health. Despite an ultrasound in July 2025 suggesting potential liver issues, prison authorities have reportedly declined to release his official medical results. When inquiries were made, the Medical Main Department of the Ministry of Justice purportedly referred to a "practically healthy" report from 2020, seemingly disregarding the five years of incarceration that have transpired since that initial assessment.

Polad Aslanov is among approximately 300 individuals identified by local rights groups as political prisoners in Azerbaijan. Although the government consistently asserts that no one is prosecuted for their professional activities or political views, the recurring patterns in Aslanov’s case—such as procedural obstacles, restricted family access, and medical neglect—point to a larger challenge for press freedom across the region.

As the legal proceedings concerning his torture claims persist, both the international community and local advocates remain committed to ensuring that fundamental human rights and legal protections are upheld, rather than being disregarded at the prison gates.