Jailed journalist Polad Aslanov ends 20-day hunger strike as his health deteriorates
According to his wife, the journalist, who went on hunger strike in protest against hijab restrictions in schools, has dropped to 41 kilograms, and doctors said he could fall into a coma at any moment.
Jailed journalist Polad Aslanov, head of the “Xeberman.com” website, has ended the hunger strike he had continued for 20 days because of his deteriorating health. His wife, Gulmira Aslanova, announced this on her social media account on November 2.
According to Gulmira Aslanova, the journalist, who began the hunger strike on October 12 in protest against the restrictions on the hijab applied in schools, ended it on October 31 at the Medical Facility of the Penitentiary Service. She said her husband's health had deteriorated and his weight had dropped to 41 kilograms.
Gulmira Aslanova relayed Polad Aslanov's words as follows: “My weight was 41 kg, my blood pressure was 50/80. I could no longer even take water. My vision was going dark, and I had severe pain in my ears. Doctors said I could fall into a coma at any moment and could remain paralysed. I ended the hunger strike because of the problems with my health. This is as far as my strength went.”
The journalist also said he was beaten at Penal Institution No. 15, where he was held on October 12, and that when he was transferred to the Medical Facility three days later there were marks of violence on his face and neck. According to him, doctors at the Medical Facility photographed those marks. Aslanov said he also told staff of the Ombudsman's Office who visited him that the head of Penal Institution No. 15, Ramig Nasibov, and an employee named Teymur had beaten him, and that they also photographed him.
Gulmira Aslanova claimed that the reason for the beating was that the journalist had gone on hunger strike in protest against the hijab ban. Earlier, the international human rights organisation Amnesty International expressed concern over reports of Polad Aslanov's beating, stating: “The Azerbaijani authorities must immediately and independently investigate reports of the attack and ensure that Polad Aslanov has proper access to qualified health professionals who will provide care in line with medical ethics.”
Polad Aslanov had announced on October 8 that he was going on hunger strike in protest against the hijab restrictions in schools. According to his wife, Ministry of Justice employee Anar Guluzade then met the journalist and said the hijab issue would be resolved. Aslanov ended the hunger strike after this promise but resumed it on October 12. The Penitentiary Service and the Ombudsman's Office have not made public their position on the claims regarding the journalist's beating, conditions of detention and health.
Polad Aslanov was arrested on June 12, 2019, and was found guilty under Article 274 (high treason) of the Criminal Code and sentenced to 13 years in prison. The journalist rejects the charge and says he was punished for his professional activity. He has also held hunger strikes several times during his years in detention.
