Health of convicted Azerbaijani journalist worsens after hunger strike

Director of the Azerbaijani online publication Abzas Media Ulvi Hasanli, who has been on hunger strike since July 20, complained about his deteriorating health and cruel treatment in prison. In five days, he lost 6 kg of weight, but he is not provided with medical care.

Despite these circumstances, Hasanli was placed in a punishment cell.

Recall that in June, a Baku court sentenced Hasanli to 9 years in prison. The same terms were given to the editor-in-chief of the publication Sevinj Vagifgizi, investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, and economist Farid Mehralizade. Other journalists were sentenced to slightly shorter prison terms: Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova - 8 years each, Mohammed Kekalov - 7 years.

They were initially accused of smuggling foreign currency. The charges were then toughened: illegal entrepreneurship on a large scale, legalization of criminal proceeds by an organized group, falsification of documents, group tax evasion. The journalists deny guilt and claim that they are being persecuted for investigating facts of corruption in the highest echelons of power in Azerbaijan.

Последние новости
Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
Society
Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
16 October 2026

More than 3 billion rubles have been paid out to residents of Dagestan affected by spring floods. Fyodor Shchukin announced this on October 15 while speaking at a session of the republic’s People’s Assembly. On the same day, deputies elected him as the head of the region, following which he took the oath of office and assumed his duties.
Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
Human rights
Court upholds sentences for four Crimean Tatars in ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir’ case
16 October 2026

A Russian military appellate court has rejected the appeals of four Crimean Tatars—Nariman Ametov, Ali Mamutov, Vokhid Mustafayev, and Enver Khalilyayev—who were convicted of involvement with the organization ‘Hizb ut-Tahrir.’ The sentences handed down by the Southern District Military Court on May 21, 2026, remain unchanged. According to the TASS news agency, citing court sources, the individuals—part of what is known as the "third Dzhankoy group"—were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 14 to 15 years.
Six more individuals involved in the case concerning the storming of the presidential residence have been released in Georgia
Human rights
Six more individuals involved in the case concerning the storming of the presidential residence have been released in Georgia
16 October 2026

Six people convicted in connection with the events of October 4, 2025, in Tbilisi have been set free following the conclusion of plea agreements with the prosecutor's office. This was reported on October 16 by the television channel TV Pirveli.
UN Summit Participants in Yerevan Seek Ways to Halt Nature’s Destruction
Ecology
UN Summit Participants in Yerevan Seek Ways to Halt Nature’s Destruction
16 October 2026

On October 16, a Leaders’ Summit on Biodiversity is taking place in Yerevan, organized as part of the preparations for the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17). Participants are discussing how to accelerate the fulfillment of international commitments regarding biodiversity conservation and prompt more decisive action from governments.