Saleh Rustamov’s hunger strike in prison is a protest against the punishment of an innocent person. In case of his death, this will create a very undesirable precedent in Azerbaijan. Make every effort to avoid his death, stated the appeal of about 50 journalists to the head of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, heads of other state bodies and the public of the country.
Today is the 18th day since the beginning of the hunger strike by Rustamov. Journalists call on the public to solidarity for the release of the hero-veteran of the first Karabakh war.
They are convinced that the punishment of Rustamov was imposed for political reasons, the appeal says signed by: Rovshan Hajibeyli, Khadija Ismail, Khalig Bahadur, Shahvaled Chobanoglu, Afgan Mukhtarli, Ganimat Zahid, Natig Javadli, Sevinj Vagifgizi, Aynur Elgunesh.
* Saleh Rustamov, a supporter of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, was arrested in May 2018 and sentenced to 7 years 3 months in prison in the so-called case of “illegal financing of the Popular Front Party”. Human rights activists recognized him as a political prisoner. Subsequently, the Supreme Court reduced the sentence by 2 months. Since November 6, he has been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding his release.