Journalist Mahal Ismayiloglu has suffered a second heart attack. On 20 August his health deteriorated and he was placed in the Central Clinical Hospital with his wife's assistance.
Ismayiloglu told the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety that he needs to have surgery.
"Doctors had difficulty helping me to recover after I was placed in the hospital," said Ismayiloglu. "In 2003, I had my first heart attack. Back then, doctors implanted a plastic device in my heart for my vessels to function better. The device works for 4 or 5 years. This period has already passed. And thus I have had a second heart attack. The doctors indicated that I need surgery soon."
According to Ismayiloglu, although the surgery is urgent, he needs financial assistance.
Mahal Ismayiloglu formerly worked as editor-in-chief "Khalg Gazeti," which is published by the Presidential Administration. However, he was dismissed in 2002. Recently, he was writing columns for "Yeni Musvat" Newspaper.
There were reports earlier this year that attempts were being made imprison Ismayiloglu on false charges. On 27 June 2008, M. Ismayiloglu was called to the Absheron District Police Department. In the department he was notified that his neighbor Vahid Imanov, who works in the Ministry of Interior, filed a complaint about him. In the complaint it is alleged that the journalist beat his neighbor's servant for dumping trash in his yard. A criminal case on Article 221.3 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism with use of a weapon or weapon-like item) was opened against him. However, Ismayiloglu vehemently denies these charges and claims he is being persecuted because of critical articles his wrote in "Yeni Musavat."
"Doctors had difficulty helping me to recover after I was placed in the hospital," said Ismayiloglu. "In 2003, I had my first heart attack. Back then, doctors implanted a plastic device in my heart for my vessels to function better. The device works for 4 or 5 years. This period has already passed. And thus I have had a second heart attack. The doctors indicated that I need surgery soon."
According to Ismayiloglu, although the surgery is urgent, he needs financial assistance.
Mahal Ismayiloglu formerly worked as editor-in-chief "Khalg Gazeti," which is published by the Presidential Administration. However, he was dismissed in 2002. Recently, he was writing columns for "Yeni Musvat" Newspaper.
There were reports earlier this year that attempts were being made imprison Ismayiloglu on false charges. On 27 June 2008, M. Ismayiloglu was called to the Absheron District Police Department. In the department he was notified that his neighbor Vahid Imanov, who works in the Ministry of Interior, filed a complaint about him. In the complaint it is alleged that the journalist beat his neighbor's servant for dumping trash in his yard. A criminal case on Article 221.3 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism with use of a weapon or weapon-like item) was opened against him. However, Ismayiloglu vehemently denies these charges and claims he is being persecuted because of critical articles his wrote in "Yeni Musavat."