Ombudsman conducted a visit to Baku Pre-trial Detention Facility

As a part of her preventive mechanism mandate, the Azerbaijani Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman), Ms. Sabina Aliyeva conducted an unannounced and unscheduled visit to Baku Pre-trial Detention Facility of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice.  

During the visit carried out in line with the OPCAT requirements and mandate as provided by the Constitutional Law on Ombudsman, the accused persons, held in this detention facility, including Fuad Gahramanli and Seymur Ahmedov have been confidentially interviewed and their concerns were heard. 

The information spread through social media has not been approved as well as the appeal by his lawyer was investigated on the spot. During the interview with F. Gahramanli and S. Ahmedov, both did not complain about their treatment and custody conditions and stated being currently in a normal health condition.  

The issues of treatment, custody condition, nutrition, access to health care and phone calls, visitations and ensuring other rights of the accused persons inside the facility were straightaway monitored. During the visit the accused persons were explained their rights and requirements of the relevant legislation.  

In the course of the visit, the appeals addressed to the Ombudsman have been received, the detainees have been given legal advice with regard to the questions dealing with the investigation of the allegations against them, as well as numerous appeals were solved immediately.

At the end, the Ombudsman had a consultative talk with the director of the facility and appropriate recommendations were given for ensuring the rights and freedoms of the persons, held in places of detention and further improvement of the custody conditions in conformity with national and international laws.