The imprisoned female journalists of “Abzas Media” say they have been subjected to inhumane treatment in the detention facility due to their hunger strike. 

Their relatives have shared this information with "Abzas Media". 

Imprisoned “Abzas Media” director Ulvi Hasanli resumed his hunger strike on July 20. Two days later, detained journalists Sevinc Vagifgizi, Elnara Gasimova, and Nargiz Absalamova joined the protest.

On July 22, after beginning their hunger strike, Sevinc Vagifgizi, Elnara Gasimova, and Nargiz Absalamova were removed from their cells and placed in separate rooms. Each is currently being held in isolation.
“None of our rooms have shower facilities, the window panes remain intact, and there is no proper ventilation. All of the rooms are unclean,” the journalists said.
It was reported that Nargiz Absalamova was subjected to violence by Deputy Chief Ahad Abdiyev after she refused to leave her cell.

“Ahad Abdiyev tried to forcibly remove her from the room. As a result, marks and bruises appeared on Nargiz’s arms.”

The journalists stated that this inhumane treatment was intended to pressure them into ending their hunger strike.

“We will not end the strike until Ulvi is returned to the detention center,” the journalists said.

On July 20, the imprisoned director of Abzas Media, Ulvi Hasanli, announced the start of an open-ended hunger strike. According to his family, he was placed in a punishment cell on July 21.

Hasanli had previously gone on a nine-day hunger strike to protest his transfer to the Umbaki penitentiary facility and the mistreatment he was subjected to there, including solitary confinement and the denial of visits with his wife and young daughter.

Then, Abzas Media’s imprisoned women journalists — Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova joined the protest.

Five other women journalists detained in connection with the “Meydan TV case” — Aynur Elgunesh, Aytaj Tapdig, Khayala Agayeva, Aysel Umudova and Fatima Movlamli have also joined the hunger strike.

The hunger strike ended after Ulvi Hasanli was promised the transfer by the Umbaki prison authorities on 4 July.