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Nigar Bagirova's Health Declines During Hunger Strike
- IHR
- 1 minute ago
- 1 min read
Religious activist Nigar Bagirova's health is declining as she continues her hunger strike. It has been 22 days since she started in protest of her pre-trial detention being extended. On November 9th, her detention was extended another two months.
Abzas Media reports that Bagirova is experiencing bad symptoms, like quick weight loss, dark circles under her eyes, lightheadedness, heart weakness, a heavy feeling in her chest, general weakness, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, nausea, and stomach pain.
Bagirova has stated she intends to continue the strike until the end, in spite of her condition. She says she is not getting normal medical attention or constant doctor supervision at the Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center.
Bagirova and five other women were arrested on August 15th. The other women are Khoshgadam Guliyeva, Sharqiyya Sadigova, Arzu Huseynova, Ayten Ibrahimova, and Shahla Farajova. They were detained after handing out a religious offering for Imam Hussein and chanting pro-Palestine slogans in the Bine settlement.
They are charged under Criminal Code Articles 221.3 (Hooliganism, involving a group or violence/property damage) and 233 (Organizing or active participation in actions causing public order disturbance). The activists deny these charges.
The other five women briefly went on a hunger strike on November 9th to demand their freedom. But they have since stopped because of their own health problems. Nigar Bagirova is now the only one still protesting.