Anar Mammadli, held in a pre-trial detention center, complained of pain

The head of the Center for Monitoring Elections and Teaching Democracy (CMETD), Anar Mammadli, who is being held in Baku Pre-trial Detention Center No. 1, began to be bothered by back pain. This was announced by his lawyer Elmar Suleymanov after meeting with him in the pre-trial detention center. As for the investigation, the defense lawyer noted that it is underway, but slowly.

Two years ago, Anar Mammadli was diagnosed with a herniated disc. Due to the lack of an orthopedic mattress, he suffers from severe pain. He also suffers from shortness of breath and asthma attacks.

Earlier, the Baku Court of Appeal rejected Anar Mammadli's request to be transferred from a pre-trial detention center to house arrest. The defendant denied the charges of currency smuggling brought against him and connected the criminal case with his social and human rights activities. International organizations and the US State Department called on the Azerbaijani government to release the social activist and other jailed journalists and activists.

In 2014, Anar Mammadli was sentenced to five and a half years on charges of tax evasion and illegal business. Two years later he was pardoned.

The Azerbaijani government has recently been accused of increasing repression of journalists and activists. Human rights groups have documented at least 25 arrests or convictions since last fall.