Fazil Gasimov, an Azerbaijani economist and PhD student formerly detained in Turkey and extradited to Azerbaijan, has been on a hunger strike for 27 days in protest of what he calls politically motivated imprisonment. According to his brother, Nazim Gasimov, his health has significantly deteriorated, but he is being denied adequate medical care.
Fazil is being held in the Umbaki Prison, where he has spent the last 15 days in solitary confinement (punishment cell) due to his hunger strike. He is reportedly suffering from kidney pain, frequent blackouts, and severe physical weakness.
“He couldn’t even stand during his last court appearance. A doctor was called but only took his blood pressure—no further examination or treatment was provided,” his brother told Meydan TV.
Gasimov was sentenced to nine years in prison on March 13, 2025, under charges of counterfeiting foreign currency as part of an organized group—charges he firmly denies.
He was arrested in 2023 in Turkey in connection with the case of prominent economist and opposition figure Qubad Ibadoghlu, who was himself detained in Azerbaijan in July 2023 on charges of counterfeit currency production and possession of extremist religious materials. Ibadoghlu, too, denies all charges and was transferred to house arrest in April 2024.
This is the second hunger strike Fazil Gasimov has undertaken to protest his imprisonment.
His next court hearing is scheduled for June 17 at the Baku Court of Appeals.
Azərbaycan dili 
English (UK)