Three Prisoners Allegedly Beaten at Baku Court by Prison Officers

Three prisoners were allegedly subjected to physical violence by officers of Azerbaijan’s Penitentiary Service at the Baku Court for Grave Crimes on July 10, according to information obtained by Meydan TV.

The incident reportedly occurred around noon after an argument broke out between three prisoners and prison convoy officers inside the courthouse.

According to the source, more than ten Penitentiary Service officers then assaulted the prisoners.

The source claims the incident took place in the presence of Judges Vugar Seyidov and Kamil Aliyev. It is also alleged that the Justice Ministry official supervising the prison convoy did not intervene to stop the violence.

The prisoners reportedly sustained visible injuries to their faces and necks as a result of the beating.

Following the incident, two of the prisoners were reportedly placed in disciplinary punishment cells at Baku Pre-Trial Detention Center No. 1.

According to the same source, the administration of the detention center has requested that the Ministry of Justice investigate the incident.

Neither the Penitentiary Service nor the Ministry of Justice has commented on the allegations.