Yesterday, 16 January, on behalf of Azerbaijan Republic Human Rights Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova, employees from the ombudsman office visited Justice Ministry Prison 10 and 17.
During these visits, the employees meet with imprisoned “Azadlig” Newspaper Chief Editor Ganimat Zahid and “Azadlig” Newspaper satiric/journalist Sakit Zahidov. IRFS was told this by Ombudsman Office Press Service Director Zenfira Maharramli.
Maharramli said, “In Prison #10, prisoner Sakit Zahidov thanked expressed him gratitude to the Ombudsman Office helping him to get transferred from Prison #14 to Prison #17. He did not complain about his health. He said he had no problems with the the leadership and employees of Prison #10, said conditions are normal for him and conditions are being created for him to regularly see his family. Sakit Zahidov only complained that the Narimanov Distrcit Court was not able to positively resolve his appeal to be released from prison early, and said that he will appeal to the Baku Appellate Court.” Maharramli also noted that the employees viewed the area where Zahidov is being held.
After this, employees went to Prison #17 and met with “Azadlig” Newspaper Chief Editor Ganimat Zahid. Maharramli expressed the ombudsman is constantly following the situation of the chief editor. She said, “Ganimat Zahid noted that he was not dissatisfied with the conditions in the prison or the attitude displayed towards them. He thanked the Ombudsman’s Office for their attentiveness.”