Abzas Media journalist Nargiz Absalamova, who was sentenced to eight years in prison, has not been provided with a medical examination despite ongoing health problems, her relatives told Abzas Media.

Absalamova, 27, has long suffered from sinusitis and received treatment several times before her arrest. Her condition has recently worsened, and she now needs both an MRI scan and a general medical examination, according to her relatives.

She is experiencing shortness of breath and severe headaches as a result of the condition.

Absalamova applied to the administration of the Lankaran Penitentiary Complex, where she is being held, four months ago, requesting an MRI scan and a general medical check-up. However, the request has not yet been granted.

Absalamova’s lawyer, Bahruz Bayramov, said repeated official appeals had been submitted to both the Ombudsman’s Office and the prison administration, but no action had been taken.

“The Ombudsman’s Office said the appeal had been registered and would be addressed. But nothing has happened. The issue remains unresolved. Prison staff have also told Nargiz Absalamova that they are waiting for approval “from above”. She is young and suffering from pain. For four months, they have failed to provide the necessary medical examination,” Bayramov said.

Abzas Media was unable to obtain a comment from the Penitentiary Service because it was a non-working day.

Absalamova was detained on November 30, 2023. Several other Abzas Media employees were also arrested in the case, including director Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi, project coordinator Mahammad Kekalov, investigative journalist Hafiz Babali, journalist Elnara Gasimova, and economist Farid Mehralizada, an employee of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

On June 20, the Baku Court of Grave Crimes, chaired by Judge Rasim Sadikhov, sentenced Hasanli, Vagifgizi, Babali and Mehralizada to nine years in prison. Absalamova and Gasimova were sentenced to eight years, while Kekalov received seven years and six months.

The Baku Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court upheld the verdict.

The journalists were charged with several offences, including smuggling and serious financial crimes. They deny the charges. Local and international rights groups say the prosecution is linked to their journalistic work.