Lawyer Says Jailed Activist Insaf Aliyev on Hunger Strike Over Prison Conditions
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Insaf Aliyev, an activist charged with group violence during recent protests, has begun a hunger strike to protest what his lawyer calls inhumane treatment and unsafe conditions in prison.
"Prisoner of conscience Insaf Aliyev has started a hunger strike," his lawyer, Ayhan Hasanli, said in a statement. "He still has limited access to the necessary medical supplies" despite promises from prison authorities. Hasanli said Aliyev has existing health problems that require regular medication.
According to the lawyer, Aliyev reported that he was initially kept in cell 186, which was infested with "a large number of cockroaches." After complaining, he and his cellmates were moved to cell 248, where there was no running water and the sewage system was blocked. "They could not wash their hands or mouths or wash dishes, which meant they could not eat and, in fact, were deprived of access to food," Hasanli said.
Aliyev allegedly appealed to the authorities for help, but received no response for five hours. During that time, his lawyer says, the sanitation problems persisted. "Finally, he knocked on the door with his foot in the hope that someone would respond and offer help, but instead a report on the violation of order was drawn up," Hasanli stated. Later that evening, Aliyev was transferred to a solitary confinement cell for five days.
Hasanli said that before being taken to isolation, Aliyev tried to explain that he needed to retrieve his medication and personal belongings from the cell. "Instead, he was handcuffed and forcibly taken - dragged - to isolation," the lawyer claimed.
He also alleged that when Aliyev was briefly returned to cell 186 after disinfection work, "the cell smelled strongly of chemicals," which made him feel unwell twice. On both occasions, he was taken to a doctor.
Hasanli said the Public Defender's Office has been informed and is monitoring the situation. "This hunger strike is a sign of protest against the inhumane and degrading conditions," he added.
Aliyev was arrested during protests and is charged with group violence, an offense that carries a prison sentence of four to six years.
