Shura Amiraslanova, mother of the arrested youth activist Giyas Ibrahimov, went to Baku Detention Center to meet with her son but the meeting was not allowed, as she told the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS).
Giyas Ibrahimov, member of the opposition NIDA Civic Movement, was arrested on May 10, 2016, along with another member, Bayram Mammadov. The two activists were charged under Articles 234.4.1 (illegal manufacturing, purchase, storage, transportation, transfer or selling of narcotics, psychotropic substances or their precursors – on preliminary arrangement by a group of persons or by an organized group) and 234.4.3 (- in a large amount) of Criminal Code. Bayram Mammadov and Giyas Ibrahimov were ordered detained for 4 months by Khatai District Court’s decision of May 12, 2016.
Youth activist Giyas Ibrahimov wrote “Happy Slave Holiday” and “fuck the system” on the late Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev’s statue facing the Central Bank near the 28-May metro station, and Bayram Mammadov took a photo of the slogans on the statue. The youths were subjected to torture during interrogation at the police office.
According to the youth activist’s mother, she waited in front of Baku Detention Center for more than 2 hours, but although they accepted the food that she brought for her son, the meeting was not allowed without any explanation.
Shura Amiraslanova suspects the traces of torture and wounds may still be visible on her son’s body and which is why her request to meet with him was refused.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has said that they met with the youths in Baku and saw injuries and signs of injuries on their hands and feet.
The youth activist’s mother added that she had been unable to talk to her son (phone conversation or meeting) a single time for 14 days.
Lawyer Elchin Sadigov noted that under Article 15 of the Law of Azerbaijan Republic on “Ensuring Rights and Freedoms of Persons Held in Places of Detention,” the detained person has the right to meet with his relatives and to contact them by phone.
The lawyer added that if violation of those rights continued they would appeal to court.