Tofig Yagublu's family says he can't walk freely

Tofig Yagublu

The health of Tofiq Yaqublu, a member of the Musavat Party and the National Council of Democratic Forces has taken a bad turn. His family says he can't walk properly anymore.

Tofiq Yaqublu has been in prison for a while now. He went on a 26-day hunger strike to protest his imprisonment. This made him very weak and dizzy. Recently he told his family that his knee is swollen and hurts a lot. He needs crutches to walk.

His daughters, Nargiz and Nigar Hazi are worried about his health in prison. They say the prison authorities are not giving him the help he needs.

Tofiq Yaqublu was arrested in December 2023. He was charged with fraud and document forgery. He and his supporters say these charges are not true. They think he is being punished for his views.

The Supreme Court of Azerbaijan upheld his nine-year sentence on April 2. His lawyers are now taking his case to the European Court of Human Rights. They say his trial was unfair.

Tofiq Yaqublu's family thinks his treatment in prison is linked to protests in Washington D.C. His son Rahim took part in these protests during President Ilham Aliyev's visit to the United States.

The international community is watching the situation. The Azerbaijani authorities are not saying much. They say there are no prisoners in the country. Tofig Yaqublu's family and lawyers disagree.

For now Tofig Yaqublu remains in prison. His health is getting worse. His family and lawyers are seeking help from courts.