Lifer accuses Gobustan prison chief of corruption

"Gobustan prison's administration poses danger to my life," life-term prisoner Ali Guliyev wrote in the letter sent to the APA.

He protests against his being introduced to the society as a dangerous criminal. Making serious allegations against the prison chief Sedaget Aghayev, Guliyev stresses in the letter that they give false information to the President's Office about the lifers of Gobustan. The letter also reads privileged prisoners are held in special wards.

"These wards are supplied with TV-set, video and mobile phone. Besides, privileged prisoners easily get narcotic drugs and alcohols. The prison chief gains $108 000 from short-term and long-term meetings every year and $100 from trade facility every day. It costs $700 to transfer a prisoner to another ward. The prisoners enjoying television-set, video and mobile phone pay $1000 every month. There also are incomes from illegal meetings, transfer to Treatment Place. As a result of these, Sedaget Aghayev bought a new apartment for himself and his father for $70 000," the letter reads.

Guliyev says he has got this information from prison officers, who are dissatisfied with the prison chief.

The lifer claiming that he was arrested by a special order explains the reason why his rights are not restored, "Hajibala Sadigov, who announced my death sentence, is now first deputy chairman of Supreme Court. Do you think I can prove my innocence?" He wants all these matters to be investigated by relevant instances.

Gobustan prison chief Sedaget Aghayev called Guliyev's letter full of lies and slander. He said there are no privileged prisoners there at all.

"All the wards are the same in the prison. It is a closed jail. You can appeal to relevant instances if you have facts on use of narcotic drugs, alcohols as well as alleged privileged prisoners," he underlined.

The prison chief also denied Guliyev's allegation that he has bought a new apartment adding he lives in a common five-storey building.