Arrested journalist asks to transfer him to another prison in Azerbaijan

Mirza Sakit (Zakhidov), a satirical journalist who is currently at a prison hospital, is complaining of his heavy custody conditions, non-observance of sanitary norms and remoteness of his custody.

The family of the journalist has informed the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that in this connection he asked to transfer him from Colony No. 14 to another penitentiary establishment.

We note here that recently Sakit Zakhidov has held a hunger strike as a protest action against inadequate custody conditions.

The officials from the Penitentiary Service of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Justice have explained, making their comments on Mirza Sakit's petition to transfer him to another colony, that applications of this sort are considered, and decisions are made depending on the justification weight. However, they see no need to transfer M. Sakit to another colony.

We remind you that satirist Mirza Sakit was arrested on June 23, 2006, on charges of keeping drugs. On October 4, 2006, Mr Zakhidov was sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment under forged accusations. By local and international human rights organizations, Mirza Zakhidov was recognized to be a prisoner of conscience.