The jailed director of “Abzas Media” Ulvi Hasanli, has ended the hunger strike he began 17 days ago.

His family told that Hasanli decided to stop the protest after considering concerns for the health of his relatives, who had been distressed over his condition.

Hasanli said the scheduling of an appeal hearing in “Abzas Media case” also influenced his decision. The hearing is set for 12 August.

Ulvi Hasanli began his hunger strike after being transferred to a prison complex in the settlement of Umbaki.

He said the facility did not allow open visits with his wife and young daughter, and that the long distance made it difficult for his family and lawyers to visit.

He had demanded to be moved back to the Baku Detention Centre, but applications to the courts by his lawyers were unsuccessful.

During the protest, Hasanli lost 15kg and was held in a punishment cell without ventilation. His family said he had become extremely weak and was denied medical supervision.

Hasanli said he now hopes the issue can be resolved through legal means.

In solidarity with Hasanli, “Abzas Media”s jailed editor-in-chief Sevinc Vagifgizi and journalists Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova also went on hunger strike on 22 July. They ended their protest on 28 July due to health concerns for family members.