Amnesty International is severely concerned about imprisoned Editor-in-Chief of “Tolishi Sado” Newspaper Novruzali Mammadov’s health.
“According to his friends, in June 2009 the doctor at the prison diagnosed Novruzali Mammadov with a number of medical conditions including a cataract, a prostate tumor, and thyroid problems and recommended that Novruzali Mammadov have three separate operations to relieve his conditions,” it is stated in the statement of Amnesty International. “On 28 July, Novruzali Mammadov was transferred to a central hospital for the penitentiary system run by the Ministry of Justice and his health his health has deteriorated since he arrived at the hospital: he is in pain, unable to walk unaided, move his arms, and has difficulty breathing and speaking. “
“He told his family and lawyer when they visited him that hospital staff did not assist patients with eating and personal care, and the sanitary conditions were "awful". According to his friends, Novruzali Mammadov has not been given any treatment or pain relief by hospital staff, as they said they need to carry out tests before treating him. Only in the afternoon of 31 July, was Novruzali Mammadov's wife allowed to pass on some painkillers she had bought for him; however, she was not allowed to see him on that day though she had been able to visit him in earlier in the week,” it is said in the statement.
Amnesty International urges to write to President Ilham Aliyev and Justice Minister Fikrat Mammadov to ensure that Novruzali Mammadov is receiving appropriate medical treatment, express concern that Novruzali Mammadov’s current hospital has apparently not provided him with appropriate medical treatment and care, demand that he be transferred to a civilian hospital if no other hospital within the penitentiary system can meet his medical needs, and ask for Novruzali Mammadov to be retried in proceedings that are in accordance with international fair trial standards.
“He told his family and lawyer when they visited him that hospital staff did not assist patients with eating and personal care, and the sanitary conditions were "awful". According to his friends, Novruzali Mammadov has not been given any treatment or pain relief by hospital staff, as they said they need to carry out tests before treating him. Only in the afternoon of 31 July, was Novruzali Mammadov's wife allowed to pass on some painkillers she had bought for him; however, she was not allowed to see him on that day though she had been able to visit him in earlier in the week,” it is said in the statement.
Amnesty International urges to write to President Ilham Aliyev and Justice Minister Fikrat Mammadov to ensure that Novruzali Mammadov is receiving appropriate medical treatment, express concern that Novruzali Mammadov’s current hospital has apparently not provided him with appropriate medical treatment and care, demand that he be transferred to a civilian hospital if no other hospital within the penitentiary system can meet his medical needs, and ask for Novruzali Mammadov to be retried in proceedings that are in accordance with international fair trial standards.