Azerbaijani oppositionist loses 21 kg due to hunger strike

During 37 days of hunger strike in pretrial detention center, one of the leaders of the Azerbaijani opposition movements – the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) and the Musavat Party – Tofig Yagublu lost 21 kg. Now he has stopped drinking water and has gone on a dry hunger strike.

According to the lawyer, Yagublu complained of dizziness and severe abdominal pain, his weight dropped to 76.2 kg. A few days ago, he was taken to visit his family in a wheelchair. However, the court refuses to transfer him to house arrest.

Earlier it was reported that in pretrial detention center, the politician’s pain in his internal organs increased, his vision worsened and he could not move. His family demanded that he be transferred to a private clinic.

In March, a Baku court sentenced Tofig Yagublu to nine years in prison. He pointed to the lack of evidence and falsification of the criminal case.

Yagublu is known for criticizing the Azerbaijani authorities. At the end of 2023, he was arrested on charges of fraud and document forgery. Before that, the politician had been repeatedly subjected to criminal and administrative prosecution. International organizations recognized him as a prisoner of conscience.

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