Azerbaijan
Imprisoned poet denied medical treatmentPosted Nov 10 2008
The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety reports that poet, journalist and satirist Sakit Mirza Zakidov has been prematurely removed from the prison medical facility where he was receiving treatment for a long-standing heart condition.
Zakidov was assaulted upon returning to the penitentiary Oct. 18, according to report. The management chief and his colleagues beat the ailing reporter in his stomach and kidneys, Zakidov’s wife said.
Many believe the hospital discharge and prison attack are related to the publication of a poem Zakidov wrote while incarcerated. The pro-opposition newspaper Azadlig ran Zakidov’s poem, Forward with Ilham, on Oct. 15, the day of the Azerbaijiani presidential election.
Delegates from the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe along with ambassadors from various embassies met with Zakhidov on Oct. 27. According to the delegates, he reports improvement but remains unwell.
Zakidov is serving a three-year prison sentence in Baku for what are considered to be trumped-up drug charges from 2006.