Matanat Turan complained about the lack of medical assistance in the SIZO.
Activist of the opposition party Popular Front of Azerbaijan Matanat Turan, arrested after participating in protests against restrictions on wearing hijabs in schools, is not receiving necessary medical assistance in Baku's SIZO-1, and her health has deteriorated since her detention.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", activist of the opposition party Popular Front of Azerbaijan Matanat Turan was detained in the Absheron district on October 13. Turan is a believer and wears a hijab; the court initially placed her under house arrest, but the prosecutor's office appealed this decision and on October 17 secured Turan's placement in a detention center. She is charged under Article 233 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan (participation in actions aimed at violating public order), which provides for up to three years of imprisonment. The prosecution of Turan is politically motivated, the party believes.
Since October 12, school leaders in Azerbaijan have not allowed teachers and schoolgirls who refused to remove their hijabs to attend classes. Around several schools in Baku, students and teachers held lessons in the street in protest. On October 13, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the detention of 37 protest participants, while activists counted more than 200 detained. Protests due to the exclusion of children and female teachers from classes have become a continuation of a long-standing dispute over religious clothing in schools, according to a report by "Caucasian Knot" "Protests over school dress code in Azerbaijan".
Participant in the protests against the school dress code, activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan Matanat Turan is deprived of medical assistance in Baku's SIZO-1, reported her party comrade, deputy head of the Narimanov district branch of the PFPA Gulnara Ragimova.
“Matanat's condition is alarming. She suffers from thrombosis and a gynecological disease; after her arrest, Matanat Turan's well-being has significantly worsened. She has been held in the SIZO for 15 days and still has not undergone a medical examination. She is fed promises, but she is not receiving medical assistance. Moreover, she is not allowed visits with relatives. The SIZO administration shifts the responsibility for the ban on visits to the investigator, while the investigator claims that such restrictions were not imposed,” Ragimova told a correspondent of “Caucasian Knot”.
According to her, the activist also complained about the conditions of detention. “In Matanat Turan's cell, the light bulb burned out, and she was asked for money to replace it. Phone calls for Matanat Turan are cut off much earlier than the legally allotted time. Almost daily, she faces psychological pressure,” added the party representative.
Head of the press service of the PFPA Natig Adilov condemned the violation of Matanat Turan's rights and her deprivation of medical assistance.
“In connection with Matanat Turan's health condition, urgent measures must be taken. She must be provided with a medical examination and treatment without delay, allowed to meet with her family, and fully exercise her legal right to phone calls. The responsibility for Matanat Turan's health and life lies with those who violate her rights,” he told a correspondent of “Caucasian Knot”.
It was not possible to obtain comments from the Penitentiary Service of Azerbaijan for “Caucasian Knot”.