The health condition of Anar Mammadli has worsened in an Azerbaijani prison
The head of the Center for Monitoring Elections and Democracy Education, Anar Mammadli, who is in prison, has worsened his health. He suffers from shortness of breath and asthma attacks.
Before his arrest, Mammadli was being treated for obstructive bronchitis, which required regular inhalations. After being placed in prison, his condition continues to deteriorate due to the constant lack of fresh air. In addition, two years ago Mammadli was diagnosed with a herniated disc. Due to the lack of an orthopedic mattress, he suffers from severe pain.
Previously, the Baku Court of Appeal rejected Anar Mammadli's request to be transferred from a pre-trial detention center to house arrest. The defendant denied the charges of currency smuggling brought against him and linked the criminal case with his social and human rights activities. International organizations and the US State Department called on the Azerbaijani government to release the social activist and other jailed journalists and activists.
In 2014, Anar Mammadli was sentenced to five and a half years on charges of tax evasion and illegal entrepreneurship. Two years later he was pardoned. President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree releasing 148 prisoners, including 10 prisoners of conscience.
In 2014, PACE awarded Anar Mammadli the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize.
