Babala and Gasimov went on a hunger strike in prison.
Investigative journalist Hafiz Babali and economist Fazil Gasimov, imprisoned in Azerbaijan, went on a hunger strike on the day of the World Urban Forum in Baku to draw the attention of its participants to the issue of political prisoners.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on May 11, economist Fazil Gasimov and journalist Hafiz Babali, on behalf of the "Committee for the Protection of Political Prisoners" created in the prison, proposed to the UN to demand the release of prisoners of conscience in connection with the World Urban Forum in Baku.
The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), organized by the UN, is taking place from May 17–22 in the capital of Azerbaijan. The forum, organized with the participation of the Azerbaijani government, focused on sustainable urbanization issues and brought together representatives of local and regional governments, academic and business circles, public organization leaders, urban planners, and NGO staff.
Hafiz Babali and Fazil Gasimov announced a hunger strike at Correctional Facility No. 2 of the Azerbaijan Penitentiary Service starting at 3:00 PM (2:00 PM Moscow time) on May 17. They timed the protest to coincide with the World Urban Forum, which began that day in Baku under the auspices of the UN.
“In order to draw the attention of the international community to the problem of political prisoners in Azerbaijan and to protest against the political repressions carried out in our country, we are declaring a hunger strike. We appeal to the senior UN officials participating in WUF13, as well as to the heads of state and government, with a request to call for the unconditional release of political prisoners during meetings with official representatives of Azerbaijan,” reads a statement from Babala and Gasimov, transmitted to a “Caucasian Knot” correspondent by their relatives.
A relative of Gasimov noted that the economist will not end his hunger strike until his applications to the Plenum of the Supreme Court and the Narimanov District Court are reviewed.
“In his appeal to the Narimanov District Court, Fazil demands that the decision of On September 11, 2023, his defense attorney, Eldar Gadimli, was removed from the criminal case. This decision was based on a forged statement filed in Fazil's name, and an expert examination confirmed that it was not his signature. Fazil is also demanding a special ruling against the investigator who falsified the document. In a statement submitted to the Plenum of the Supreme Court, Fazil claims that the police officers who testified in his case knowingly committed perjury. He asks that these circumstances be considered newly discovered, that the decision of the Baku Court of Appeal be overturned, and that the criminal case be terminated on exonerating grounds, or that the case be returned to the court of first instance for reconsideration,” Gasimov’s relative said.
Caucasian Knot was unable to obtain comment from the Azerbaijani Penitentiary Service.
The official opening ceremony of WUF13 took place at the Baku Congress Center today; on May 17, only the flag raising took place. The ceremony was attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova, the leaders of several African countries, as well as delegations from other countries.
Ilham Aliyev stated that holding the 13th World Urban Forum in Baku reflects The country's growing international prestige and its contribution to the development of urban infrastructure and urban policy. Speaking at the forum, Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan has implemented large-scale urban development and restoration projects in recent years, including work in liberated territories, demonstrating the country's experience in modern urban planning.
Azerbaijani authorities deny allegations of persecution of government critics. "Media freedom is ensured in Azerbaijan. There is no censorship in Azerbaijan, [but] there is a free internet, and hundreds of media outlets operate. Therefore, it would be unfair to criticize Azerbaijan for actions allegedly aimed at hindering the development of the media. "What kind of restrictions can we talk about with a free internet?" said Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on April 26, 2025, in Berlin at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Aliyev linked the arrests of journalists to "illegal financing from abroad."
UN-Habitat Assembly President Nga Kor Ming called on countries to strengthen cooperation to address the global housing crisis and achieve the organization's Sustainable Development Goals. He said the forum in Baku should become a platform for developing joint solutions, "so that no one is left behind."
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock addressed the forum participants via video messages. Guterres emphasized that the World Urban Forum will serve as an incentive to translate the stated goals into reality, while Baerbock noted that the event will provide an opportunity to "intensify the fight against the housing crisis."
The "Caucasian Knot" also reported that six prisoners from Colony No. 2 in Baku announced on November 24 the creation of a "Committee for the Defense of Political Prisoners." The decision to create such a group was made given that violations of human rights and freedoms in Azerbaijan "have reached a critical level and become systematic," according to a statement released by the initiative. The statement was signed by investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, economist Fazil Gasimov, trade union activist Afiyaddin Mammadov, former political emigrant Samir Ashurov, activist Lachin Veliyev, and member of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan Mehman Aliyev. Following the announcement of the organization's creation, the members of the Committee for the Defense of Political Prisoners faced pressure, threats, and obstacles in communicating with their families.