Azerbaijani activist Jabbarov was subjected to violence after protests in a prison colony.
Convicted religious activist Rovshan Jabbarov was physically assaulted after protesting prison conditions and harsh treatment. Conditions in Azerbaijani prisons do not meet modern standards, the human rights activist confirmed.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," Rovshan Jabbarov was among 32 believers detained in Azerbaijan in March 2023. According to pro-government media sources, the detainees were conducting "subversive activities" under the guise of religion and calling for "a violent change to the existing constitutional order."
The wave of persecution of believers is linked to the deterioration of Azerbaijan's relations with Iran, and the arrests of religious activists are usually politically motivated, human rights activists noted in March 2023.
Religious activist Rovshan Jabbarov was placed in a punishment cell at Correctional Facility No. 17 along with several other prisoners protesting the poor conditions and treatment of convicts, activist Arzu Abdulla, who specializes in protecting the rights of believers and religious activists, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent today.
"Several days ago, prison staff conducted a so-called shakedown in building No. 1, where prisoners convicted of drug crimes are held. Guards turned everything upside down, smashed thermoses, and took mattresses and money from prisoners. When Rovshan Jabbarov demanded that the money be returned to the prisoners, guards pinned his head to the door and held him there until he lost consciousness. Jabbarov and several other prisoners were then shaved bald and locked in solitary confinement," Abdulla said, citing information from relatives of the prisoners.
According to her, the strict inspection in the building was prompted by prisoners' complaints about problems with the water supply and the building's bathroom.
Prisoners complain that they get electric shocks when using the water in the bathhouse.
"Prisoners there complain that they get electric shocks when using the water in the bathhouse. In general, emergency incidents in the colonies have become more frequent recently. For example, last summer in "The ceiling of Colony No. 12 collapsed twice, killing one inmate, and a major fire broke out in one of the buildings in Colony No. 6. All of this demonstrates that prisoner safety in penitentiary institutions is not adequately ensured. When inmates protest this, they are placed in solitary confinement under false pretexts. Some are then tried and sent to the closed-security wing of the Umbaki penitentiary complex or other colonies. Furthermore, inmates who speak out against the infringement of their rights are deprived of visits, phone calls, and packages from family members," the activist said.
She emphasized that the building where the incident with Jabbarov occurred primarily houses believers who, like him, were arrested on drug-related charges. Representatives of the prison administration "are particularly biased towards them," Abdulla said.
Human rights activists have recognized Jabbarov as a political prisoner
Rovshan Jabbarov, who was detained in March 2023, was sentenced to four years in prison "on a drug charge," although Jabbarov and other detainees were initially presented in pro-government media as people seeking to create a religious state in Azerbaijan, Elshan Hasanov, co-coordinator of the Union for Freedom of Political Prisoners of Azerbaijan, told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
Monitoring of Jabbarov's case revealed a lack of reliable evidence of guilt.
"Monitoring of Jabbarov's case revealed a lack of reliable evidence of the believer's guilt, and violations of his rights during the preliminary "investigations," he said.
The human rights activist confirmed the problems with the conditions of detention of prisoners in Azerbaijani prisons. According to him, most of the correctional facilities were built in the mid-20th century, and some are in a state of disrepair.
The colonies lack toilets and a central heating system.
"The colonies lack toilets, a central heating system, and, in the summer, proper ventilation. Some are undergoing cosmetic repairs, but the buildings themselves do not meet modern penitentiary standards of the Council of Europe," Hasanov said.
The Penitentiary Service could not be reached for comment, a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reported.
In 2024, the number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan reached its highest level in 23 years of the country's membership in the Council of Europe, according to a "Caucasian Knot" report "Key points about the record number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan". At the same time, the Azerbaijani authorities deny the presence of political prisoners in the country.