Azerbaijani Authorities Accused of Degrading Opposition Leader’s Prison Conditions
POLICY WIRE — Baku, Azerbaijan — The family of Ali Karimli, Azerbaijan’s detained pro-democracy leader, has accused the regime of deliberately worsening his prison conditions to break him. They...
POLICY WIRE — Baku, Azerbaijan — The family of Ali Karimli, Azerbaijan’s detained pro-democracy leader, has accused the regime of deliberately worsening his prison conditions to break him. They are calling on the UK to intervene.
Karimli, 61, faces life imprisonment on treason charges, which he denies. He was arrested in November and is accused of plotting a Russian-backed coup to overthrow the government.
His family has expressed growing concern over his physical condition after he appealed to Western governments to prioritize human rights over trade ties with Azerbaijan.
Karimli has reported being denied safe drinking water and other basic necessities, leading to significant weight loss and distress. His lawyers have noted his markedly yellow complexion and red eyes.
His daughter, Sezan Karimli, highlighted that her father has been isolated from his family, deprived of sleep, and denied access to books and newspapers. She believes these conditions are deliberately intended to harm him.
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Human Rights Watch has criticized the lack of credible evidence supporting the charges against Karimli and has condemned the broader crackdown on dissent in Azerbaijan.
The UK foreign office has stated that it has raised Karimli’s case with the Azerbaijani government, urging them to follow due legal process and ensure access to medical care.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
