Azeri journalist goes on hunger strike in Georgian prison

He is protesting against not being transferred to a hospital from the prison. The Union of Georgian and Azerbaijani Journalists (UGAJ) told the APA Azerbaijan's Press Council head Aflatun Amashov has recently appealed to Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili for transferring Gajar Huseynov to a hospital due to his bad health. However, this appeal gave no result.

Azerbaijani Ombudsman's Office representatives, human rights activists Saida Gojamanli and Eldar Zeynalov as well as Georgian human rights activists Ucha Nanuashvili and Nana Kakabadze have many times appealed to the colony administration for hospitalizing TB-affected Gajar Huseynov.

"Journalist Gajar Huseynov said in his appeal to the Union of Georgian and Azerbaijani Journalists that his in a very bad health and has begun long-term hunger strike since 19 August," the Union said.

The UGAJ strongly criticizes Georgian authorities for such treatment and urges international organizations to support Huseynov.

The UGAJ members Niyazi Huseynov, Tamara Tsintsadze, Islam Mammadov, Georgi Tkhinvaleli, Bayram Gasimov, Lasha Sakvarelidze, Renat Bagirov and Samir Husyenov are planning to stage a protest action outside Georgian Embassy in Azerbaijan on 30 August.