Azerbaijani oppositionist stops his hunger strike after hospitalization

Lachin Veliev, a supporter of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, and a former member of the “Musavat” Party, was hospitalized on the ninth day of his hunger strike. After being forced to accept food, Lachin Veliev stopped the action he was holding in protest against the extension of his arrest.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that Lachin Veliev was detained on March 20 and accused of illicit drug trafficking. The activist faces up to 12 years of imprisonment. According to the advocate, the confession was obtained from the defendant under pressure. The defence and activists considered the accusations far-fetched and saw political motives in the case.

Lachin Veliev went on a hunger strike after the court extended his pre-trial detention until October 15, and the complaint was dismissed, reported Rufat Safarov, the head of the “Defence Line” organization.

Rasul Djafarov, the head of the Baku Human Rights Club, notes that the law allows forced feeding of prisoners to protect their health. “However, this is an extreme and undesirable measure. People should not be brought to such a state. During the investigation, the detention of the accused should be avoided as much as possible, and even more so in cases where they are charged with acts not related to crimes against a person,” Rasul Djafarov said.

Members of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) also consider the arrest of Lachin Veliev to be unfounded. “Lachin Veliev, being a supporter of our party, actively participated in the protests ... Last summer, he was detained after the rally on July 14-15. Then he was demanded to testify against Bakhtiyar Imanov, a member of the PFPA Presidium, but Lachin refused,” the PFPA press service reported.