Fazil Gasimov Faces Serious Health Issues: Vomiting Blood

Fazil Gasimov

Recent reports indicate that Fazil Gasimov, an Azerbaijani doctoral student arrested in connection with the same case as Istanbul University economist Gubad Ibadoglu, is suffering from serious health issues. According to his brother, Nazim Gasimov, Fazil, who is being held at Penitentiary Institution No. 2, has been vomiting blood on various occasions.

Nazim Gasimov mentioned that his brother had stomach surgery before his arrest, and the long hunger strikes he has done in custody have made the issue worse.

The hunger strike is taking a toll on him. He's having trouble eating, he's in a lot of pain, and sometimes he coughs up blood, Nazim stated.

If he doesn't get proper care, his life is in danger.

Nazim Gasimov, after visiting his brother on November 5, said that the staff at Penitentiary Institution No. 2 know about his condition. He told the doctor at the facility's medical unit about it, and Fazil Gasimov wants to be moved to a treatment center for an exam and proper medical attention.

Before all of this, he was on medication from Turkey after his stomach surgery. He's trying to manage with that now, but it won't last. If he doesn't get normal treatment, his life is in danger. He doesn't have any complaints about the prison staff. His health is the problem.

An appeal against Fazil Gasimov's 9-year prison sentence was denied by the Baku Court of Appeal on September 29. His family plans to file another appeal with the Supreme Court.

There has been no statement from the Penitentiary Service or the Chief Medical Department of the Ministry of Justice about Fazil Gasimov's health or situation. Earlier, the Penitentiary Service's Public Relations Department said that all the rights of people in custody are protected by law. The Chief Medical Department also stated that convicts with health problems are watched closely and get the needed medical care.

The doctor at Penitentiary Institution No. 2 has taken note of the problems and asked for his transfer to the facility's medical unit, but the family says the transfer hasn't happened yet.

Background

Fazil Gasimov was arrested in Istanbul and brought to Baku on August 8, 2023, about 10 days after Gubad Ibadoglu's arrest. He was charged with the same crime: 204.3.1 (Making or selling fake money as part of a group). On March 13, 2025, he was sentenced to 9 years in prison. He says he's innocent and that the fake money accusation is false. He has been on hunger strike twice to protest his arrest.

On the day Gubad Ibadoglu was arrested in July 2023, authorities searched his office and said they found $40,000, some of which was fake. Gubad Ibadoglu claimed that law enforcement planted the money there.

During the investigation, Gubad Ibadoglu was also charged under Article 167-3.1 of the Criminal Code (Preparing, storing, or spreading religious extremist materials), which he denied.

Gubad Ibadoglu was released to house arrest on April 22, 2024, and later placed under police surveillance. In August, his case was separated from the main one.

After Gubad Ibadoglu's release, a decision was made to suspend the Azerbaijan Democracy and Welfare Party, which he led, because it failed to register.