Imprisoned Abzas Media Journalists Face Health Crisis and Inhumane Conditions Amid Hunger Strikes

Ulvi Hasanli

The health of Ulvi Hasanli, the imprisoned director of the independent news outlet "Abzas Media," is reportedly deteriorating as he continues an indefinite hunger strike. His family is urgently demanding his transfer to a medical facility, citing a lack of proper care and equipment in his current prison. The news comes after three of his female colleagues, who had launched a solidarity hunger strike, ended their protest to prevent further harm to their own families.

Hasanli and six other "Abzas Media" employees were arrested starting in November 2023 on charges including smuggling, which they and their lawyers deny, calling the charges politically motivated. On June 20, the Baku Court for Serious Crimes sentenced the journalists to prison terms ranging from 7.5 to 9 years. After the verdict, several of the male journalists, including Hasanli, were moved from the Baku Detention Center (BIT) to the more remote Penitentiary Complex in Umbakı.

Hasanli began an indefinite hunger strike on July 20 to protest this transfer, stating it was illegal as the court's verdict had not yet fully entered into force. He also claimed that the transfer violated a promise made to him during a previous nine-day hunger strike that he would be returned to the Baku Detention Center. He believes his treatment is a direct result of the outlet's investigative reporting.

According to his family and the outlet, Hasanli's health has rapidly declined since the start of his hunger strike.

He has lost 9 kilograms, dropping from 74 kg to 65 kg.

He temporarily lost consciousness on July 21, the second day of his protest.

His blood pressure is now 130/90.

He is reportedly having difficulty breathing due to a poor ventilation system in the Umbakı prison.

Hasanli's family has stated that he is not receiving proper medical supervision because the facility lacks the necessary equipment. "They cannot measure Ulvi's heartbeat or oxygen saturation," the family reported. His relatives are demanding his immediate transfer to a medical facility. The Umbakı prison administration has reportedly said that a lawyer must make an official request for the transfer.

The Penitentiary Complex in Umbakı is also a significant distance from Baku, making it difficult for Hasanli to meet with his family, lawyers, and his 3-year-old child.

In solidarity with Hasanli, "Abzas Media" editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi and journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova began their own indefinite hunger strike on July 22.

However, in an appeal released on July 28, they announced they were ending their protest. The journalists explained that the decision was made because their parents, all of whom suffer from cardiovascular problems, were being frequently hospitalized due to the stress of their children's hunger strike. They also appealed to Hasanli to end his hunger strike for the sake of his own mother's health.

The journalists also reported that they faced inhumane treatment because of their protest. They were allegedly moved to solitary confinement in separate, unsanitary rooms lacking proper ventilation and shower facilities. They claim that during a meeting on July 26, the prison administration refused to accept new clothing and hygiene products brought by Vagifgizi's family, and that Nargiz Absalamova was subjected to violence by a deputy chief after she resisted being moved from her room.

As of now, the Penitentiary Service and other official bodies have not commented on these specific allegations. Officials typically state that they treat all prisoners in accordance with the law.