Hunger strike of Azerbaijani journalist Ragimov approaches critical deadline

The Azerbaijani journalist, Ikram Ragimov, who is demanding to review the verdict in his extortion case, is ready to starve to death. He refuses to eat for the 28th day; doctors consider hunger-striking for over 30 days as life-threatening.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 12, a court in Baku found Ikram Ragimov, the editor-in-chief of the "Realliq.info" website, guilty of extortion and sentenced him to 5.5 years in prison. On August 7, he went on a hunger strike, demanding an objective review of his appeal against the verdict. On September 2, Ragimov's relatives stated that they were putting pressure on him to force him to stop the hunger strike.

Today, Ragimov has stated that he continues his hunger strike, his cousin Galib Gasanov has informed. "Ikram said that it's hard for him, but he'll continue his hunger strike anyway ... He's lost 15 kilograms of his body weight," Gasanov said, adding that they stopped putting pressure on Ragimov.

The public relations division of the Penitentiary Service has stated that Ragimov is under doctors' supervision; his rights are not violated.

Asabali Mustafaev, an advocate, has pointed out that there is no provision on forced nutrition of inmates in the Azerbaijani legislation.

A hunger strike for more than 30 days poses a threat to life, Adil Geibulla, a well-known Azerbaijani therapist, has stated.