Today, 26 March, Rena Zahidova visited her husband, imprisoned “Azadlig” Newspaper satiric/journalist Sakit Zahidov in Prison #10. The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety was told this by Rena Zahidova. According to Zahidova, Sakit Zahidov’s health is normal and he does not have any problems with the leadership of Prison #10.
There are two reasons why S. Zahidov refused amnesty; none of the political prisoners was included in the amnesty and the release of prisoners who are in the same prison with him has been delayed because of him, said Rena Zahidova. Sakit expressed his opinion about the appointment by PACE of a special rapporteur on political prisoners in Azerbaijan. “I evaluate this as the victory of Azerbaijan’s opposition and the free and democratic people over the Aliyevs (ruling family). My only wish is that all opposition forces unite and join as a fist. I feel my desire will be realized soon,” Sakit Zahidov told his wife.
Sakit Zahidov was arrested on 23 June 2006 for possession of narcotics (this charge is widely understood to be spurious) and was sentenced to a three-year imprisonment by the Grave Crimes Court. There are only three months left in his prison term.