Natiq Hashimov, a religiously devout prisoner held in Azerbaijan’s Prison No. 17, has been on a hunger strike for the past four days. According to his family, Hashimov, who suffers from severe health issues, began the protest in response to being denied necessary medical treatment.
He informed his family about his hunger strike through a phone call, stating that he is refusing food in protest against his treatment and the conditions in the prison.
Hashimov, 40 years old, has been suffering from diabetes for 30 years, and his condition can be life-threatening, with his blood sugar sometimes rising to dangerous levels.
Previously, he was transferred to a medical facility for treatment after the head of the Penitentiary Service’s Operations Department, Fikrat Qafarov, ordered his relocation. However, on November 30, he was unexpectedly returned to Prison No. 17 without warning and without his medications.
This abrupt move prompted him to begin his hunger strike and refuse insulin, only drinking water, which he also reportedly vomits.
Hashimov has been imprisoned since May 2023, following his arrest by Sumqayit police officers. His family claims that during his detention, he was tortured and forced to take responsibility for drugs that did not belong to him.
Eventually, he was charged with drug-related offenses under Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code and sentenced to three years in prison. His family has criticized the medical staff at the treatment facility, accusing them of unfairly recommending his transfer back to the prison, and they hold them responsible for any harm that might come to him due to his deteriorating health. The Penitentiary Service has not provided a comment on his hunger strike.
