Jailed Azerbaijani theologian on dry hunger strike over alleged prison abuse

Mansur Valishov

An imprisoned Azerbaijani theologian has entered his fifth day without food or water in protest at being placed in solitary confinement, his family says.

Mansur Valishov, who was sentenced to six years in prison on drug charges in 2023, is being held at the Lankaran Penitentiary Complex in southern Azerbaijan.

In a recorded phone call with relatives on 30 July, Valishov said he was placed in a punishment cell after demanding medical assistance for another inmate who had been mistreated by prison staff.

"I have been without food and water for four days," Valishov said during the call, which was abruptly disconnected. "My lips are stuck together and I can barely speak."

He alleged that the head of the facility, Babak Isgandarov, told him that other inmates had died in similar circumstances and that he would meet the same fate.

Valishov said he had been prevented from submitting official complaint letters to state officials, including the president. He added that while he had not been physically assaulted himself in Lankaran, he was punished after speaking out when another prisoner collapsed following mistreatment.

Family members believe authorities are intentionally subjecting him to harsh conditions in severe summer heat to justify transferring him to a higher-security closed prison regime.

Azerbaijan's Penitentiary Service did not respond to requests for comment regarding Valishov's situation. In previous statements, the agency has maintained that all rights of detainees in investigative isolation and correctional facilities are fully guaranteed under domestic law.

The theologian previously reported being handcuffed to a bed and beaten unconscious by nearly 10 staff members while detained at the Umbaki Penitentiary Complex in February 2026.

Valishov maintains his innocence, stating that the drug charges brought against him in March 2023 were fabricated in response to his religious activities and critical views.

Hundreds of religious believers have been arrested on drug-related charges in Azerbaijan in recent years. Rights groups argue that the charges are routinely used to target vocal critics of the government.

According to human rights organisations, there are currently 328 political prisoners in Azerbaijan, more than 190 of whom are religious activists or believers.

Government officials in Baku reject the figures and deny holding political prisoners, maintaining that all individuals listed were prosecuted for specific criminal offences.