Avaz Zeynalli, the imprisoned founder of \u201cXural TV\u201d, has been diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer, with the disease having spread to his liver. This critical update on his health was shared by his wife, Malahat Zeynalli, via social media and confirmed by medical sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Malahat Zeynalli, serious health issues first arose while Avaz was being held at Correctional Facility No. 6. Although he was in urgent need of medical imaging, an ultrasound examination was only administered after the Ombudsman\u2019s Office intervened \u2014 and even then, it took a full month to arrange. Doctors subsequently became suspicious of malignancy and transferred him to the Medical Facility of the Justice Ministry. There, he underwent multiple blood transfusions and intravenous treatments. Approximately one month ago, he was taken to the Oncology Center for a biopsy. The results were revealed to him around April 4, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medical professionals have now diagnosed him with metastatic colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver. Chemotherapy treatment is expected to begin imminently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response to the diagnosis, Malahat Zeynalli made a public appeal for her husband\u2019s pardon, stating:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cA presidential pardon is a direct prerogative of the head of state. Each passing day is a serious threat to Avaz Zeynalli\u2019s life. A humane decision to release him and ensure he receives proper treatment is still possible. But time is running out \u2014 every second counts. If something happens to him, it will be an indelible stain on history.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
A medical expert familiar with oncology cases, speaking on April 14, confirmed that recovery from such a condition is indeed possible \u2014 provided there is access to proper treatment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cI\u2019ve seen patients with liver-metastasized colorectal cancer recover \u2014 not just live longer, but even be rid of the tumor. But effective treatment is essential. I currently treat two cancer patients in prison. Even basic procedures like an MRI can take months to arrange. It\u2019s not easy. I ask that Avaz Zeynalli be given the opportunity to receive appropriate medical care according to standard medical guidelines.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
In light of these developments, a formal appeal for Avaz Zeynall\u0131\u2019s release was submitted to President Ilham Aliyev on April 14, 2025. Signed by numerous public figures, journalists, and human rights defenders, the letter emphasizes that his condition requires professional treatment that cannot be provided in prison conditions. It also notes his past public service, family situation, and character, requesting a review of his sentence and immediate release on humanitarian grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The letter appeals directly to the President, stating:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cMr. President,
During your leadership, you have shown compassion on many occasions, granting pardons to thousands and giving people a second chance.
We trust that you will exercise your authority to ensure Avaz Zeynalli\u2019s release so he can receive the medical treatment he urgently needs.
We thank you in advance for your understanding and humanity.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nAmong the signatories are prominent human rights defenders Novella Cafaroglu, Saadat Benenyarli, and Arzu Abdullayeva; journalists Rauf Arifo\u011flu, Mehman Aliyev, and Laman Alashrafqizi; as well as political figures such as Panah Huseyn and Iqbal Agazadeh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avaz Zeynalli has been in custody since September 9, 2022, initially charged with accepting a large bribe from the wife of Rasim Mammadov, former head of Baku Steel Company. Additional charges were later brought against him. On February 26, 2024, the Baku Serious Crimes Court sentenced him to nine years in prison. His sentence was reduced by two months following a Supreme Court review on December 18, 2024. Zeynalli denies all charges and claims his imprisonment is politically motivated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Avaz Zeynalli, the imprisoned founder of \u201cXural TV\u201d, has been diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer, with the disease having spread to his liver. This critical update on his health was shared by his wife, Malahat Zeynalli, via social media and confirmed by medical sources. According to Malahat Zeynalli, serious health issues first arose while Avaz […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":30305,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[1047],"class_list":["post-30304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-feed","tag-editor"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irfs.org\/az\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30304","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irfs.org\/az\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irfs.org\/az\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irfs.org\/az\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irfs.org\/az\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30304"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.irfs.org\/az\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30304\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30345,"href":"https:\/\/www.irfs.org\/az\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30304\/revisions\/30345"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irfs.org\/az\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30305"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irfs.org\/az\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30304"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irfs.org\/az\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30304"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irfs.org\/az\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30304"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}