Lawyer Zibeyda Sadigova has raised questions about medical care for prisoners, referring to deaths in penitentiary facilities.
Journalists, politicians and civil society activists held in detention in Azerbaijan are reportedly experiencing serious health problems and in need of urgent medical care.
Lawyer Zibeyda Sadigova shared this information on her social media account on October 21.
The lawyer said these individuals were unable to receive adequate medical care in the pre-trial detention centres and prisons where they are being held.
Sadigova also named the detainees she said were experiencing health problems and listed their conditions:
- Aynur Elgunsh – tumours and kidney problems, as well as frequent spikes in blood pressure;
- Shamshad Agha (Agayev) – stomach disease;
- Alasgar Mammadli – a tumour;
- Ruslan Izzatli – gallbladder disease;
- Farid Ismayilov – liver and heart conditions;
- Ulvi Hasanli – a heart condition;
- Bahruz Samadov – skin eczema and psychological problems.
Another issue highlighted in the lawyer’s statement was the number of deaths recorded in prisons.
According to statistics released by the Ministry of Justice, 64 people died in penitentiary facilities during the first six months of 2026. During the same period in 2025, 85 deaths were recorded, while the total for the entire year reached 153.
Zibeyda Sadigova said that media reports often attribute these deaths to illness. She called for clarification on whether the prisoners who died had received timely examinations and treatment.
“Were these people not examined? What illnesses were they suffering from? In which facilities were their deaths recorded? How many times a month are detainees examined?” the lawyer asked.
Several reports have emerged in recent weeks about the deteriorating health of journalists held in detention.
On October 13, it became known that Shamshad Agha, an imprisoned editor at Meydan TV, had been transferred to a specialised medical facility under the Penitentiary Service due to health problems.
On October 18, it was announced that Aynur Elgunesh, Meydan TV’s imprisoned editor-in-chief, had also been transferred to a medical facility. According to Zibeyda Sadigova, the journalist has undergone 17 surgeries and is currently experiencing a serious kidney problem.
The family of Alasgar Mammadli, co-founder of Toplum TV, has also repeatedly reported a deterioration in his health. Mammadli has said he suffers from a thyroid tumour, high blood pressure and heart problems.
In August, relatives of Ulvi Hasanli, director of AbzasMedia, said he was not receiving medical care appropriate to his condition in prison.
On September 25, imprisoned researcher Bahruz Samadov injured himself during a hearing at the Supreme Court. Amnesty International called for him to be given access to adequate medical care, including psychological support.
The Ministry of Justice and the Penitentiary Service have not yet commented on the allegations made in Zibeyda Sadigova’s latest statement.
