Human rights defenders reported a deterioration in Iqbal Abilov's health.

The researcher of Talysh culture, Iqbal Abilov, sentenced to 18 years in prison in Azerbaijan, is experiencing breathing problems and exacerbation of chronic bronchitis due to regular placements in a punishment cell.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on June 11, the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan upheld the sentence of researcher Iqbal Abilov. The court's refusal to provide a translator from Talysh, as well as the prosecution itself, Abilov called discrimination against Talysh people. The defense intends to file a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights.

The Committee for the Protection of Iqbal Abilov's Rights reported a deterioration in his health due to repeated confinement in a punishment cell and prolonged detention in a solitary cell. Currently, according to human rights defenders, Abilov has been placed back in solitary confinement and is expected to remain there until September 25.

In the last two months, Abilov has been placed in solitary confinement for the third time: he was held in the punishment cell of Baku's SIZO-1 from July 9 to 13, then, after being transferred to IU-12, he was placed in solitary confinement of that institution on July 17 and held there until August 7.

According to the committee, on August 7, the researcher was again transferred to Baku's SIZO-1 due to court proceedings regarding Abilov's complaints, which are being considered under judicial supervision. On August 21, Abilov was returned to IU-12 with a high temperature and dizziness.

"On August 25, Iqbal Abilov, who had not fully recovered from his illness, was again placed in solitary confinement," the Committee for the Protection of Abilov's Rights reported.

Public defenders fear that Abilov's frequent placements in solitary confinement are organized with the aim of further tightening his punishment regime by transferring him to a closed-type prison. "In this case, Iqbal Abilov will be restricted in family visits, and receiving food packages from relatives will only be allowed once every three months," the publication notes.

As a result of frequent placements in the punishment cell, Abilov's chronic bronchitis has worsened, breathing problems have intensified, and attacks of suffocation have become more frequent. At the same time, he is not provided with necessary medical assistance, and a possible transfer to a closed-type prison would create additional risks for the health and safety of the scholar, human rights defenders believe.

They are convinced that the disciplinary measures against Abilov are related to his appearance in court wearing a T-shirt with a poem by Talysh poet Ali Nasir, written in the Talysh language, as well as media publications about the use of physical force against him in Baku's SIZO.

"In some cases, Iqbal Abilov is not even informed of the formal reason for the application of disciplinary sanctions. Iqbal Abilov has never violated the internal rules and regulations in the institutions where he was held," the committee's statement said.

The committee demanded that Iqbal Abilov's rights and safety be ensured, his health protected, and necessary medical assistance provided to him.

Frequent placements in the punishment cell create a legal basis for the prison administration's petition to transfer the prisoner to a closed-type prison, confirmed a Baku lawyer to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

"Unfortunately, courts almost without exception satisfy such requests from penitentiary institutions, which are usually based on political decisions. In closed-type prisons, the conditions of detention are harsh. The movement of the prisoner within the institution is restricted, and outdoor time is reduced to one hour. In a closed prison, short visits are allowed only four times a year, while in colonies such meetings are weekly," said the expert, who wished to remain unnamed.

The correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" was unable to obtain comments from the Penitentiary Service of Azerbaijan.