Meydan TV received a letter from the Baku Pre-Trial Detention Facility. We present the letter as it is, keeping the author anonymous for safety reasons.
Since February 24, the prison administration has canceled all open visits for everyone throughout the facility. While the stated reason was renovation, about a month ago renovations were carried out in rooms designated for open visits, and at that time, no visits were suspended.
Later, it was reported that those rooms were converted into holding boxes for detainees being taken to and from court. Visits would now take place via communication booths behind glass.
On Thursday, journalist Aytaj Tapdig (Ahmadova) was barred from visiting, and on Saturday, journalist Aysel Umudova was completely banned. The reason given for preventing journalists from visiting was that the media had reported they would refuse visits via the communication booths. However, even when family members came for visits that day, they were not informed, and no official refusal form was requested.
On Saturday, another journalist, Ulviyya Ali, also faced restrictions on her visit. Although she was told to “prepare for the visit,” she was not allowed in. Two days prior, prison chief Elnur Ismayilov had threatened Ulviyya Ali over AI-generated videos, saying, “If you don’t remove the videos, they will also detain your family members.” Her mother, Ilhama Mehmanli, who came for the visit on Saturday, was directly threatened by Ismayilov. He told her, “I have reported this to the prosecutor’s office; you will have to give an explanation.” After speaking with Ismayilov, the visit was legally sabotaged and canceled, and Ulviyya Ali was not allowed to meet.
Visits in the facility take place through communication booths behind glass for 40–45 minutes, even though internal disciplinary rules state they should be “no less than 45 minutes and no more than 4 hours.” Political prisoners are not allowed to gather in one place. The high number of political prisoners has also shortened the duration of visits, as there is only one communication room, whereas there used to be multiple open visit rooms, so the length of visits was not previously an issue. Coordination on this matter is failing.
To further isolate female journalists, phone days have also been changed. Journalists who previously contacted their families on different days are now only allowed phone access twice a week on the same days, preventing them from publicly reporting prison conditions. Phone call dates are scheduled close to visit dates, further deepening isolation.
The cancellation of open visits causes other problems. Political prisoners, under special surveillance, have their twice-weekly phone calls monitored by the prison administration. Communication via booths, including phones over four lines, is also under surveillance, and the administration listens in.
Avaz Zeynalli revealed in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling against Azerbaijan that the prison administration installs listening devices even in rooms where lawyers meet detainees, violating confidentiality.
Not only are political prisoners wrongfully imprisoned and deprived of freedom for political reasons, but the prison administration also does not allow them any relief. They cannot communicate confidentially with their families or share information about prison conditions.
However, the cancellation of open visits affects not only political prisoners but ordinary prisoners as well. Over 100 “xoz” prisoners, who are sentenced but serving as maintenance staff within the prison, cannot exercise this right either.
The prison administration seeks to further isolate political prisoners. Previously, prisoners could leave their cells for medical appointments; now even this is prohibited. Doctors come directly to the cell, and leaving is only allowed for phone calls or meetings with family and lawyers.
After the incident in front of the hotel where Ilham Aliyev stayed in the U.S., pressure and threats against political prisoners have increased, and the prison administration is implementing them diligently.
Through these pressures, political prisoners are placed in complete isolation, total surveillance is imposed, the flow of information out of prison is blocked, and political revenge is pursued.
The message is clear: those in the West who believe they are beyond the regime’s reach should know that those in prison are captives of the state; political prisoners are hostages of Ilham Aliyev.
Another example of tightened conditions is Tofig Yagublu being placed in a punishment cell (kars) after the U.S. incident.
Prison chief Elnur Ismayilov does not carry out these orders on his own but executes instructions directly from the Presidential Administration and Ilham Aliyev.
Operating under the principle that “an official does not harm another official,” Ismayilov exploits the government’s stance toward political prisoners and takes revenge for the publicity of the search conducted in journalists’ room on February 18.
The authority enabling him comes from Penitentiary Service chief Mirsaleh Seyidov, with Justice Minister Farid Ahmadov turning a blind eye, under orders from the Ilham Aliyev administration.
No exact information is provided regarding when open visits will resume.
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