Jailed Azerbaijani Journalists Allege Abuse During Hunger Strike

Abzas Media journalists Sevinc Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, and Elnara Gasimova launched a hunger strike to support director Ulvi Hasanli’s transfer back to the Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center, alleging denial of water, isolation, and mistreatment amid escalating repression of independent media in Azerbaijan; rights organizations including RSF and Amnesty International condemned the conditions as part of a broader crackdown, following recent prison sentences of 7.5–9 years for several Abzas-associated journalists on charges viewed as politically motivated.