Four Hunger-Striking Members of Muslim Unity Movement Placed in Punishment Cells

Four imprisoned members of the Muslim Unity Movement (MUM), who launched a hunger strike demanding the release of nine female journalists and six religious women, have reportedly been placed in punishment cells, commonly known as “kars.”

The prisoners are currently being held at the closed-regime section of the Umbaki Penitentiary Complex. No information has been available about their current health conditions.

According to available information, Muslim Unity Movement members Suleyman Alakbarov, Vali Allahverdiyev and Vugar Aliyev began a hunger strike on July 11. Another member of the movement, Elvin Zeynalov, joined the protest on July 13.

The hunger strikers are demanding the release of nine imprisoned female journalists and six women described as religious believers.

The imprisonment of female journalists in Azerbaijan intensified with the Abzas Media case, which began in November 2023. Journalists Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Vagifgizi were detained in connection with the case.

On December 6, 2024, four female media workers — Aynur Elgunesh (Ganbarova), Aysel Umudova, Aytaj Tapdig (Ahmadova) and Khayala Aghayeva — were arrested as part of the Meydan TV case. In 2025, independent journalists Fatima Movlamli and Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) were also detained in connection with the same case.

Separately, six religious women were reportedly detained in Baku’s Khazar district in August 2025 while distributing food as part of a religious charity tradition. Reports at the time alleged that the women were subjected to police violence during their detention.

The reported transfer of the four hunger-striking prisoners to punishment cells has raised additional concerns, particularly as no information is currently available about their health while they continue their protest.