Economist Fazil Gasimov on 25-Day Hunger Strike, Says Imprisonment Politically Motivated

Fazil Gasimov

Imprisoned Azerbaijani economist Fazil Gasimov has been on hunger strike for 25 days, protesting what he describes as politically motivated persecution. Gasimov, a PhD student at Istanbul University, was detained in Turkey in 2023 and extradited to Azerbaijan in connection with a high-profile criminal case involving opposition figure Gubad Ibadoghlu.

He was sentenced to nine years in prison in March 2025 under Article 204.3.1 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, which concerns the production and distribution of counterfeit currency by an organized group. Gasimov has denied the charges, telling the court that he was coerced into signing a false statement against Ibadoghlu through physical abuse and sedative drugs.

On June 4, during a hearing at the Baku Court of Appeal, Gasimov stated he has consumed nothing but water from sealed bottles since beginning his hunger strike on May 10. He has been held in solitary confinement since May 21 for refusing to end the protest.

“He was told that he must end his hunger strike in order to be released from solitary confinement. Nevertheless, Fazil has said he will not stop the protest,” his relatives told Abzas Media. A similar statement was shared with Meydan TV.

The court session was chaired by Judge Aqil Musayev but was postponed to June 17 due to the absence of one of the panel judges, Cavid Huseynov, who was attending a Judicial Selection Committee meeting.

Gasimov had previously gone on hunger strike for over six months to demand his release. His family said he survived that protest by mixing small amounts of honey into water.

While the case against Ibadoghlu was separated and he was released to house arrest in 2024—later placed under police supervision—Gasimov was prosecuted and sentenced. Human rights organizations consider him a political prisoner.

His continued hunger strike and placement in solitary confinement have raised serious concerns about the treatment of detainees in politically sensitive cases in Azerbaijan. His next hearing is scheduled for June 17.